Analysis of the immunological response to coronavirus infection

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims
COVID-19 is a condition caused by the coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2) that was first identified in late 2019. This virus can infect the respiratory (breathing) system. Some people do not have symptoms but can carry the virus and pass it on to others. People who have developed the condition may develop a fever and/or a continuous cough among other symptoms. This can develop into pneumonia. Pneumonia is a chest infection where the small air pockets of the lungs, called alveoli, fill with liquid and make it more difficult to breathe.
In 2020, the virus has spread to many countries around the world and neither a vaccine against the virus or specific treatment for COVID-19 has yet been developed. As of April 2020, it is advised that people minimize travel and social contact, and regularly wash their hands to reduce the spread of the virus.
Groups who are at a higher risk from infection with the virus, and therefore of developing COVID-19, include people aged over 70 years, people who have long-term health conditions (such as asthma or diabetes), people who have a weakened immune system and people who are pregnant. People in these groups, and people who might come into contact with them, can reduce this risk by following the up-to-date advice to reduce the spread of the virus.
The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has already led to over 1 million deaths worldwide. There is an urgent need to understand more about the biology of this disease. The aim of this study is to collect specimens from patients who have been confirmed to have active or convalescent (recovering from) SARS-CoV-2 infection, and a corresponding healthy control group, to assess the immunological response to the infection in patients with a range of clinical manifestations (symptoms) of the disease.

Who can participate?
Patients and members of the public who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, whether or not they developed COVID-19 symptoms, and uninfected volunteers

What does the study involve?
The study involves donating blood samples, nasal swabs and/or samples of saliva. The volume and frequency of sampling depends on the specific sub-study a participant is involved in.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
A number of participants are recruited at the time of donating a routine clinical sample, in which case the study doesn't present any additional risks. For those who donate a blood sample purely for research purposes the process carries the potential risk of a small bruise or mild soreness at the puncture site and the very rare possibility of infection at the puncture site.

Where is the study run from?
University of Birmingham (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2020 to June 2025

Who is funding the study?
1. Medical Research Council (UK)
2. Department of Health and Social Care (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Unfortunately, this study is not recruiting public volunteers at this time. This is because researchers are directly identifying volunteers in certain areas or hospitals. Please do not contact the research team as they will not be able to respond. For more information about COVID-19 research, visit the Be Part of Research homepage.

Contact information

Prof Paul Moss
Scientific

University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TA
United Kingdom

ORCID ID	0000-0002-6895-1967

Dr Rachel Bruton
Scientific

College of Medical and Dental Sciences
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
United Kingdom

Study information

Eligibility

Locations

Countries of recruitment

• England
• United Kingdom

Study participating centres

Sponsor information

Funders

Funder type

Government

Results and Publications

Study outputs

Editorial Notes

05/10/2020: Trial's existence confirmed by the NIHR.