The PANDEMIC Study [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The PANDEMIC (Protective/risk factors, ANtibody response, Dna, gEnoMICs) Study
IRAS ID
286041
Contact name
Tara Moore
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Ulster University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 17 days
Research summary
Research Summary:
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused 3.5 million infections and over 245,000 deaths worldwide from the start of 2020 until the beginning of May of this year. Currently, little is known about the immune response, that may protect people from reinfection by producing antibodies against the virus following exposure to the disease, as well as the factors, including the patient’s genes, that may influence severity of symptoms. \n\nThere is an urgent need for robust antibody detection approaches to support diagnostics, vaccine development, safe individual release from quarantine and population lock-down exit strategies. Rapid lateral flow devices, which work in a similar way to a pregnancy test kit, provide a quick, point-of-care approach to antibody testing that can be performed by the patient themselves. A sensitive and specific antibody assay could provide valuable evidence of past COVID-19 exposure to the individual, perhaps allowing a release from quarantine and return to work, and, at a population level, would allow an estimation of whether a level exceeding that needed for herd immunity has been reached that will protect the most vulnerable members of the community. \n\nThe research outlined in this application aims to develop a stronger understanding of the factors involved in severe COVID-19 cases and the persistence of a virus-specific immune response following infection. As the initial part of this project, we will test and validate lateral flow devices for use in antibody detection by comparing them to other more labour-intensive, lab-based antibody detection techniques. Using these devices, we will track the presence of COVID-19 specific antibodies (IgG antibodies) over time, to determine the time it takes to mount an immune response, which may or may not indicate immunity to the virus, and how long that response may protect the patient from a new infection. The final part of this study will compare the genetics of patients with mild and severe symptoms to determine what the genetic risk factors for severe disease are.Summary of Results:
: Vaccine study: Through comprehensive analysis of a cohort of pre-pandemic and pandemic individuals, we showed detectable levels of IgG antibodies, lasting over 46 weeks, providing insight to antibody levels at later time points post-infection. We showed good laboratory validation performance metrics for the AbC-19 rapid test for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein IgG antibody detection in a laboratory-based setting.Lateral flow covid testing kits: all lateral flow kits tested are now currently on the market.
REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/WM/0184
Date of REC Opinion
18 Jun 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion