Original Scientific Articles

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection in employees in the health insurance sector

Authors

• • Dragan Spaić
  • University of East Sarajevo,Faculty of Medicine, Foca, The Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina,Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Anđela Mandić
  • University of East Sarajevo,Faculty of Medicine, Foca, The Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina,Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Biljana Mijović
  • University of East Sarajevo,Faculty of Medicine Foca,Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Srdjan Mašić
  • University of East Sarajevo,Faculty of Medicine Foca,Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Dejan Bokonjić
  • University of East Sarajevo,Faculty of Medicine Foca,Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Dragana Puhalo Sladoje
  • University of East Sarajevo,Faculty of Medicine Foca,Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Introduction: Serological testing for SARS-CoV-2 virus infection is a valuable method of estimating the extent of COVID-19 disease prevalence. The study aims to assess the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection in a specific group of respondents employed in the health insurance sector, to determine the ratio of symptomatic and asymptomatic cases, as well as to examine susceptibility to COVID-19 in relation to the ABO blood group system.

Methods: This research was conducted among 150 randomly selected employees from the health insurance sector of the Republic of Srpska. All respondents completed the survey, voluntary consent to participate, and had a blood sample taken. Serum samples were tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies.

Results: The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection was 70.7%. Out of the 100 seropositive respondents, 48% had the presence of a symptom of COVID-19, while 52% had no symptoms of the disease in the period from 1 March 1 2020 until the day of testing. Examining the association between ABO blood group system and seropositivity in our study, we found that the highest seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies among respondents was in blood group B (83.3%), followed by blood group AB (80.0%) and blood group A (75.0%), while the lowest seroprevalence was among respondents with blood group O (54.1%).

Conclusion: Among employees in the health insurance sector, SARSCoV-2 seroprevalence of 70.7% was registered. Among respondents with a positive serological result on IgG, 52% were asymptomatic. The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection is the lowest among subjects with blood group O.

Keywords: COVID-19, seroprevalence, healthcare professionals, blood types

How to Cite: Spaić, D. , Mandić, A. , Mijović, B. , Mašić, S. , Bokonjić, D. & Puhalo Sladoje, D. (2021) “Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection in employees in the health insurance sector”, Biomedicinska istraživanja. 12(2). doi: https://doi.org/10.5937/bii2102150m