Evaluation of the factors affecting the formation of humoral immunity to the SARS-COV-2 coronavirus in medical students and doctors of the Republic of Crimea during active phase of the COVID-19 pandemia

Purpose: to study the factors that affect the indicators of humoral immunity in medical students and doctors of the city of Simferopol by means of questionnaires and serological testing. The data obtained may indicate a fairly high involvement of medical students and medical workers in the processes of formation of population immunity to COVID-19.

Materials and methods: from 14.09.20 to 06.10.20 the 67 students, as well as 19 doctors and nurses living in the Republic of Crimea have been examined by the method of enzyme immunoassay to detect IgG serum antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. All the examined subjects completed the online questionnaire.

Results: According to the ELISA the antibodies to CoV-19 were detected in 14 students (20,9% [18,3%; 25,1%]), as well as in 6 health workers (31,6% [28,9%; 34,2%]) of the total examined number. The survey revealed a number of adverse factors that contribute to the depletion of the body's immune reserves in both students and medical professionals.

Conclusion: the studies of the seroprevalence to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in various population groups, as well as the mechanisms and features of seroconversion, the kinetics of the immune response and the intensity of humoral immunity may possess an extremely important role in developing the strategy and tactics of antipandemic measures and in the future COVID-19 vaccine prophylaxis.

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