A cross-sectional study on immunoglobulin G serology against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 among health-care workers and blood donors in an oncology center in Eastern India along with an assessment of their knowledge, attitude, and practice toward blood donation during COVID-19

Background and Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in prevaccinated health-care workers (HCWs) and blood donors among different categories (categories A to D) based on their previous SARS-CoV-2 infection status along with a knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) assessment to understand the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on blood transfusion services and to determine their willingness to donate COVID convalescent plasma (CCP). In addition to that, we studied a small cohort of postvaccinated HCWs and blood donors for IgG antibodies to observe the humoral response after COVID-19 vaccination. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational, study done in India during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 315 prevaccinated individuals were tested for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody to the spike protein using SARS-CoV-2-IgG antibody kits by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Among them, 134 were blood donors and 181 were HCWs. The postvaccinated cohort consisted of 36 HCWs and 21 blood donors. Results: About 90.56% of donors in category A (blood donors with a history of COVID-19) and 22.22% of donors in category B (blood donors without a history of COVID-19) had IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. In category C (HCWs who had a history of COVID-19), an inverse relationship was observed between the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction cycle threshold average and the IgG value. Overall, the seroprevalence was more in blood donors compared to the HCWs. The seroconversion rate was 92.9% in the postvaccinated cohort. A positive intent was observed in 64% of donors during the KAP assessment regarding CCP donation. Conclusion: This study throws light on the herd immunity status of the Indian population which could further assist in prioritizing the vaccination programs to high-risk individuals. The KAP studies highlight the need for more awareness programs on blood donation during COVID-19.