COVID-SeroPRIM

Current knowledge regarding the level of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunity is mainly based on mathematical modeling, and most reports describing the prevalence of the infection are focused on inpatients and/or hospital health care workers (HCWs). However, to our knowledge, no such data have been reported from primary HCWs (PHCWs) despite them being at the frontline with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. In this context, there is an urgent need to understand the extent of the infection and the level of immunity among PHCWs. In agreement with the COVID-19 research priorities identified by the World Health Organization and the research topics targeted by this ANR Recherche-Action COVID-19 call, we propose here a study aiming to describe the seroprevalence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among primary care physicians (general practitioners and pediatricians), pharmacists, and dentists. The seroprevalence among household contacts of seropositive and seronegative PHCWs will also be investigated. This research will be conducted based on four ongoing networks (French Sentinelles network, the IQVIA network, The French Association of Ambulatory Pediatrics [AFPA] network, and the Clinical Research in Liberal Dentistry [RECOL] network), which will allow us rapidly to include a representative sample of general practitioners, pediatricians, pharmacists, and dentists. We will conduct a cross-sectional study among PHCWs first, then among household contacts of seropositive and seronegative PHCWs. We will use an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) designed for the detection of specific IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in humoral fluid, followed by a virus neutralization test to validate the ELISA results and estimate the levels of neutralizing antibodies. Clinical and epidemiological data will be collected through questionnaires, including sociodemographic information, health status, type of practice, adherence to infection prevention and control measures, risk behaviors, nonoccupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2, and household characteristics. First, we will assess the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among populations of PHCWs. Using the seroprevalence assessment methodology used by seroepidemiological studies carried out in the general population, such as the EpiCOV and Sapris, these results will be comparable to those of such seroepidemiological studies. Then, we will assess and compare the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among the household contacts of seropositive and seronegative PHCWs. We will also explore the short- and long-term clinical manifestations associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. These data will allow a better understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection and immunity levels among PHCWs and their household contacts and will provide essential knowledge for preparedness and response to contain COVID-19 to protect the frontline PHCWs.