Characterisation of COVID-19 long-term immunity
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN11946807 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN11946807 |
| IRAS number | 289646 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | CPMS 47414, IRAS 289646 |
- Submission date
- 10/11/2020
- Registration date
- 23/11/2020
- Last edited
- 06/11/2024
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Infections and Infestations
Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
In March 2019 a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was identified that causes the disease COVID-19. This has caused a global pandemic, with millions of people infected. Many scientists are now working to develop vaccines and treatments to help slow the spread of the virus. Early results from 2 vaccine trials were reported in July and these were very promising. It was clear however, that scientists still do not know what level of immune response provides protection against the virus.
Reducing the infection rate and finding vaccines and treatments all require a better understanding of how the immune system responds to a COVID-19 infection. This study aims to look in detail at the long-term immune response of people who have been infected and compare this to the symptoms they had during the infection. It will also compare long-term health outcomes in people who have and have not had COVID-19.
Who can participate?
People who are part of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (aka Children of the 90s), will be invited to take part if we know whether or not they are likely to have been infected by the virus. We have this information from:
• an answer they gave in earlier questionnaires about COVID-19 OR
• the result of a blood test they completed at home (serology test) for Children of the 90s OR
• information in their NHS medical records indicates they had COVID-19 (if they gave consent for us to look at this)
What does the study involve?
Participants will attend up to 4 visits over a 12-month period.
Each visit is a 55-minute session at our centre in Oakfield House, where they will;
1. Provide a blood sample (5 tubes)
We will ask for a sample of blood, this will be taken in the usual way. Although we will need to collect 4 blood tubes from you this will not be more than 50ml of blood which is about a quarter of a teacup.
2. Provide a urine and saliva sample.
3. Complete the following physical measures:
Height and weight – We will measure height and weight so that we can work out current BMI (Body Mass Index)
Respiratory function test – a simple sit to stand test to assess how well participants breath during exercise. They will be asked to get up from a chair and then sit back down as many times as they can in one minute. During this test they will wear a monitor to measure oxygen level and heart rate.
If a sit to stand test cannot be completed, then a 6-minute walk test will be completed instead.
4. Computer based questionnaire.
Participants will be asked to complete a short computer-based questionnaire about their quality of life.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no direct health benefits for taking part, and this is not a health check or a diagnostic test for COVID-19. We are asking participants to help us with research that could help with future treatment and vaccine development for COVID-19. There are no serious risks involved in taking part. Participants might find giving a blood sample slightly uncomfortable and might have a temporary bruise on their arm.
Where is the study run from?
This research is organised by Children of the 90s, University of Bristol, the principle investigator is Professor Nicholas Timpson. This study is part of the a larger study called ‘A UK underpinning platform to study immunology and immunopathology of COVID-19:The UK Coronavirus Immunology Consortium’ (or UK CIC), and the PI is Professor Paul Moss who is based at the University of Birmingham.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
August 2020 to November 2021
Who is funding the study?
The study is funded by The Medical Research Council (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Ms Lynn Molloy (public), Lynn.Molloy@bristol.ac.uk
Prof Nicholas Timpson (scientific, PI), n.j.timpson@bristol.ac.uk
Contact information
Public
Chief Operating Officer
ALSPAC (Children of the 90s)
Population Health Sciences
Bristol Medical School
University of Bristol
Oakfield House
Oakfield Grove
Bristol
BS8 2BN
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)117 455 9186 |
|---|---|
| Lynn.Molloy@bristol.ac.uk |
Scientific, Principal Investigator
University of Bristol - ALSPAC
Oakfield House
Oakfield Grove
Bristol
BS8 2BN
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-7141-9189 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 (0)117 455 0977 |
| n.j.timpson@bristol.ac.uk |
Study information
| Study design | Observational; Design type: Cohort study |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Observational |
| Secondary study design | Cohort study |
| Study setting(s) | Community |
| Study type | Screening |
| Participant information sheet | http://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/sites/alspac/documents/participants/UKCIC_Participant_Information_Sheet.pdf |
| Scientific title | Longitudinal study of physiological and immunological responses to COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 infection in a population based study – Children of the 90s |
| Study hypothesis | There are long-term and detectable effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection after disease |
| Ethics approval(s) | Approved 13/10/2020, NHS HRA REC (Health Research Authority, Skipton House, 80 London Road, London, SE1 6LH, UK; +44 (0)20 7972 2545; hra.approval@nhs.net), ref: 20/HRA/4854 |
| Condition | COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 infection) |
| Intervention | ALSPAC will complete a case selection process to identify participants who are likely to have had a SARS-CoV-2 infection and controls who are unlikely to have had COVID-19. This will involve review of the following information already held by the ALSPAC study: 1. Participants with a positive antibody response as part of serological testing completed by cohort members 2. Review of linked NHS data, where participants have previously consented to linkage 3. Self report of a positive COVID-19 test or GP diagnosis via response to previous questionnaires, or self report of no symptoms or tests. All those identified through the case selection (approx. 150 cases and up to 200 controls) will receive an initial invite email. Study information is provided via a link to the Participant Information Sheet. Participants will be asked to respond by phone or email if they wish to take part. They will then be called to book an initial 45 min appointment at the ALSPAC centre, Oakfield House, Bristol. A confirmation letter and link to visit information sheet will be sent. The day before the visit a reminder call will be made and this will include a check for any COVID-19 symptoms. If participants do not respond to the initial invite within 1 week a reminder message will be sent and after a further week on non-response a phone-call reminder. At the visit the participant will be asked to complete the following procedures: Informed consent - A 1-1 session with an ALSPAC Fieldworker Blood sampling (4x10ml EDTA, 1x5ml Serum) Saliva sample Physical Measures - Height, weight Respiratory function testing - A 1 minute sit to stand test or 6 minute walking test whilst having oxygen saturation levels and heart rate measured using sensor placed on the finger Urine sample Questionnaire - Computer based questionnaire asking about quality of life post infection and breathlessness Following this initial visit blood and saliva samples will be tested for current immune response levels. Those with a seropositive result (approx. 50 participants) and controls with a Seronegative result (approx. 10) will be invited back for repeat visits (same as the first visit) at 3months, 6 months and 9-12 months after visit 1. Those who are not required to continue will be notified by email. Those eligible to continue will be sent an email message and will then be called to book an appointment. The same confirmation letter and appointment reminder letter will be sent. Participants who notify us at any time of COVID-19 symptoms or positive COVID-19 test will be ineligible to continue with the study. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure | 1. Presence in saliva of SARS-CoV-2 determined using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR assay) at baseline, 4 months and 9 months 2. Titres (concentration) of each antibody isotype (e.g. IgM, IgA, IgG) in blood samples specific to SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins/epitopes being produced determined by ELISA and Western blots. At baseline, 4 months and 9 months 3. B and T-cell immune response and characteristics of innate immune cell function by laboratory analysis of blood samples (flow cytometry, ELISpots, ELISA) at baseline, 4 months and 9 months 4. Immune response to COVID-19 and cross-reactive immune responses against other pathogens such as the circulating human CoVs by laboratory analysis of blood samples (B-cell receptor (BCR) sequencing, T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing, NanoString analysis, RNAseq, single cell analysis, transciptomics, proteomics, cell signalling analysis, analysis of cellular cytotoxicity) at baseline, 4 months and 9 months 5. T-Cell, B-cell and antibody cross-reactivity and definition of how cross-reactivity may influence response to infection and/or vaccination by laboratory analysis of blood samples (B-cell receptor (BCR) sequencing, T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing, NanoString analysis, RNAseq, single cell analysis, transciptomics, proteomics, cell signalling analysis, analysis of cellular cytotoxicity) at baseline, 4 months and 9 months |
| Secondary outcome measures | 1. Exercise capacity by the completion of sit to stand or 6 min walk tests and measurement of heart rate and oxygen saturation at baseline, 4 months and 9 months 2. Quality of life by the completion of the SF36 questionnaire at baseline, 4 months and 9 months 3. BMI by measurement of height and weight at baseline, 4 months and 9 months |
| Overall study start date | 01/08/2020 |
| Overall study end date | 30/11/2021 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Healthy volunteer |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | Planned Sample Size: 250; UK Sample Size: 250 |
| Total final enrolment | 372 |
| Participant inclusion criteria | Participants of the ALSPAC cohort meeting the following criteria: 1. Aged 25 or over 2. Undergone SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing through the ALSPAC SARS-CoV-2 serology study (IRAS 289493) 3. Individuals who, through self-report or through linkage to official health records, are identified as being highly likely to have had COVID-19 infection (from either positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test performed at NHS care facility, COVID-19 testing site or home testing) 4. Individuals who have been told by a physician that, in the opinion of that doctor, they have had a clinical illness likely to be COVID-19 Control participants 5. Aged 25 or over 6. Individuals who self-report as not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 via the symptom survey 7. Self-report as not having had positive SARS-CoV-2 molecular test 8. Are confirmed SARS-CoV-2 seronegative at Visit 1 |
| Participant exclusion criteria | Exclusion criteria for both controls and cases: 1. Do not wish to participate in this research study 2. Participants taking blood thinners or blood-thinning agents (e.g. warfarin) or with a known clotting disorder or other reason unable to provide a blood sample 3. Not willing to provide blood samples 4. Do not meet eligibility criteria for respective arm |
| Recruitment start date | 13/11/2020 |
| Recruitment end date | 31/07/2021 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- England
- United Kingdom
Study participating centre
Oakfield Grove
Bristol
BS8 2BN
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
University/education
1 Cathedral Square
Bristol
BS1 5DD
England
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)117 3940177 |
|---|---|
| research-governance@bristol.ac.uk | |
| Website | http://bristol.ac.uk/ |
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/0524sp257 |
Funders
Funder type
Research council
Government organisation / National government
- Alternative name(s)
- Medical Research Council (United Kingdom), UK Medical Research Council, MRC
- Location
- United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | 01/06/2025 |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Stored in repository |
| Publication and dissemination plan | Current publication and dissemination plan as of 13/05/2024: We plan to publish two papers on the results of the sample collection and analysis both during the running of the year-long experiment (following analysis in cross-section), and also to analyse the collective product of the work (including longitudinal analysis) at the end of the planned experiment time. These results fall as part of the UK Coronavirus Immunology Consortium (https://www.uk-cic.org) which has an established engagement and communications plan and also within the National Core Studies for Longitudinal Health and Wealth – which will be reporting results both in published papers and through HDRUK to UK SAGE. The protocol is available on request. Previous publication and dissemination plan: We plan to publish the results of the sample collection and analysis both during the running of the year-long experiment (following analysis in cross-section), and also to analyse the collective product of the work (including longitudinal analysis) at the end of the planned experiment time. These results fall as part of the UK Coronavirus Immunology Consortium (https://www.uk-cic.org) which has an established engagement and communications plan and also within the National Core Studies for Longitudinal Health and Wealth – which will be reporting results both in published papers and through HDRUK to UK SAGE. The protocol is available on request. |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study will be stored in a non-publically available repository. Data will form part of the ALSPAC repository and will be shared according to the access policy http://www.bristol.ac.uk/alspac/researchers/access/ |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protocol file | version 2.0 | 02/02/2021 | 12/08/2022 | No | No |
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No |
Additional files
Editorial Notes
06/11/2024: The intention to publish date was changed from 31/05/2024 to 01/06/2025.
13/05/2024: The Publication and dissemination plan was updated.
06/12/2023: The intention to publish date has been changed from 31/05/2023 to 31/05/2024.
13/11/2023: The principal investigator's address was updated.
10/11/2023: The following changes have been made:
1. The principal investigator's contact was updated.
2. The public contact was replaced.
21/11/2022: The intention to publish date has been changed from 30/11/2022 to 31/05/2023.
12/08/2022: Protocol file uploaded.
01/11/2021: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The participant type was changed from patient to healthy volunteer.
2. The total final enrolment was added.
20/09/2021: Internal review.
10/11/2020: Trial’s existence confirmed by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
