Introduction: COVID-19 infection is the most critical ongoing global health problem
with more outstanding effects on health care workers (HCWs) as they are the first
line of defense against any disease outbreak. Aim of Work: To assess the ventilatory
pulmonary functions and the immunological response by detection of SARS-CoV-2
specific immunoglobulins (IgM and IgG) among HCWs recovered from COVID-19
infection and compare the results with those of their counterparts with no previous
infection. Materials and Methods: The exposed group involved 60 previously infected
COVID-19 HCWs confirmed by positive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests from
March till June 2020. A matched control group was selected to involve 60 PCR-negative
HCWs from the same clinical departments and during the same period. Ventilatory
pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were carried out together with the detection of specific
serum IgM and IgG antibodies. Results: All clinical manifestations of COVID-19
infection were significantly prevalent among previously infected HCWs compared to
their controls with a significant continuation of dyspnea and fatigue 3 months after
infection. Restrictive and obstructive patterns were significantly observed among
previously infected HCWs. IgM and IgG were detected in previously infected HCWs
3 months after infection with a significant prevalence of IgG. The study also showed
statistically significant negative correlations between all parameters of ventilatory PFTs
and PCR conversion duration. Conclusion: Previously infected HCWs with COVID-19
are at higher risk to develop complications in the form of continuation of some clinical
manifestations (as dyspnea and fatigue) and ventilatory impairment mainly; in the form
of restrictive patterns. Serum IgG antibodies could also persist for several months after
COVID-19 infection reflecting the development of humoral immunity against the novel
virus.