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Contact the study team using the details below to take part. If there are no contact details below please ask your doctor in the first instance.
COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 infection) antibody response in healthcare workers
This information is provided directly by researchers and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information.
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 March 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.
Antibodies detected by blood tests indicate that a person has been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 and developed antibodies as part of an immune response to the virus. Antibody tests are important to confirm prior infection, including in individuals with few or no symptoms. There are several different classes (or types) of antibody which may develop in response to any infection. These include immunoglobulin G (known as IgG) and immunoglobulin M (known as IgM).
This study will measure antibodies to COVID-19 in up to 2000 healthcare workers at Barts Health NHS Trust. The percentage of healthcare workers who have been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and who have developed antibodies will be reported. A proportion of the study participants will be called back for study visits at 3 months and at 6 months after enrolment. The aim of the follow-up visits is to measure how long the antibodies last, and also to determine if having antibodies to COVID-19 protects against getting COVID-19 disease a second time.
In the study, the COVID-19 antibodies will be measured using the Panbio™ COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test. The Panbio™ COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test is a test that uses a small drop of blood to detect IgG and IgM antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Different types of human fluid samples including blood taken from a vein (venous whole blood), blood from a fingerstick (capillary whole blood) and serum or plasma (which are fluids prepared in a lab by processing whole blood samples) can be used on the Panbio™ COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test The test is interpreted 10-20 minutes after sample application. The result is qualitative, meaning it shows that the antibodies are, or are not, present, rather than giving a value or number to measure the antibodies. In the study, a positive test result will be confirmed by laboratory testing of the same blood sample using the Abbott Architect or Roche Elecsys SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests.
Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.
The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:
2021 Results article in https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33987193/ 3-month follow-up results (added 28/01/2022)
You can take part if:
You may not be able to take part if:
1. Previously participated in this study on a previous occasion2. Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent3. Is a vulnerable person as deemed unfit for the study by the Principal Investigator4. Current symptoms of COVID-19 or has had COVID-19 symptoms within the last 14 days
Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.
Prof
Patrick T.
Kennedy
+44 (0)207 882 6187
p.kennedy@qmul.ac.uk
The study is sponsored by Abbott (Germany) and funded by Abbott Rapid Diagnostics Jena GmbH.
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