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Low awareness of past SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthy plasma donors.

Authors :: van den Hurk K
Merz EM
Prinsze FJ
Spekman MLC
Quee FA
Ramondt S
Slot E
Vrielink H
Huis In 't Veld EMJ
Zaaijer HL
Hogema BM
Source :: Cell reports. Medicine [Cell Rep Med] 2021 Mar 16; Vol. 2 (3), pp. 100222. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Mar 01.
Publication Year :: 2021
Abstract: Awareness of infection with SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for the effectiveness of COVID-19 control measures. Here, we investigate awareness of infection and symptoms in relation to antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in healthy plasma donors. We asked individuals donating plasma across the Netherlands between May 11 <superscript>th</superscript> and 18 <superscript>th</superscript> 2020 to report COVID-19-related symptoms, and we tested for antibodies indicative of a past infection with SARS-CoV-2. Among 3,676 with antibodies, and from questionnaire data, 239 (6.5%) are positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Of those, 48% suspect no COVID-19, despite the majority reporting symptoms; 11% of seropositive individuals report no symptoms and 27% very mild symptoms at any time during the first peak of the epidemic. Anosmia/ageusia and fever are most strongly associated with seropositivity. Almost half of seropositive individuals do not suspect SARS-CoV-2 infection. Improved recognition of COVID-19 symptoms, in particular, anosmia/ageusia and fever, is needed to reduce widespread SARS-CoV-2 transmission.<br />Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests.<br /> (© 2021 The Author(s).)