ABSTRACT
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic highlighted the need for rapid, collaborative, and population-centric research to define health impact, develop health care policies and establish reliable diagnostic and surveillance tests. Critical for these objectives were in-depth clinical data collected in standardized fashion and large numbers of various types of human samples prior and post-viral encounter. As the pandemic evolved with the emergence of new variants of concern (VOCs), access to samples and data from infected and vaccinated individuals were needed to monitor immune durability, the possibility of increased transmissibility and virulence, and vaccine protection against new and emerging VOCs. Therefore, essential to the pandemic response is a strong laboratory and data research component, supported by effective biobanking and data sharing. Critically important to the speed of the research response is the rapid access to biobanked samples. To address critical challenges brought to light by the pandemic, the Coronavirus Variants Rapid Response Network (CoVaRR-Net), funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, was established to coordinate research efforts to provide rapid evidence-based responses to emerging VOCs. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the CoVaRR-Net Biobank and define its contribution to pandemic preparedness.
La pandémie de SRAS-CoV-2 a fait ressortir la nécessité de réaliser des recherches rapides, coopératives et populationnelles pour en définir les effets sur la santé, promulguer des politiques sanitaires et établir des tests diagnostiques et des tests de surveillance fiables. Pour réaliser ces objectifs, il était essentiel de colliger des données cliniques approfondies d'une manière standardisée et d'amasser un grand nombre de divers types d'échantillons humains avant et après le contact viral. Lorsque la pandémie a évolué par l'émergence de nouveaux variants préoccupants (VOC), il est devenu nécessaire d'accéder à des échantillons et à des données de personnes infectées et vaccinées pour surveiller la durabilité de l'immunité, la possibilité d'une transmissibilité et d'une virulence accrues et la protection conférée par les vaccins contre les VOC nouveaux et émergents. Ainsi, il est essentiel de disposer d'un vigoureux volet de recherches de laboratoire et de recherches à partir de données pour répondre à la pandémie, soutenu par une mise en biobanque et un partage des données efficaces. Pour assurer une réponse rapide par la recherche, il est tout aussi important d'accéder rapidement aux échantillons mis en biobanque. Afin de relever les défis cruciaux soulevés par la pandémie, le Coronavirus Variants Rapid Response Network (réseau de réponse rapide aux variants du coronavirus; CoVaRR-Net), financé par les Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada, a été créé pour coordonner les efforts de recherche afin de fournir des réponses rapides fondées sur des données probantes aux VOC en émergence. Le présent article vise à présenter la Biobanque CoVaRR-Net et à en définir la contribution à la préparation aux pandémies.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To investigate the robustness and longevity of SARS-CoV-2 immune responses conferred by natural infection and vaccination among priority populations such as immunocompromised individuals and people with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 in a prospective cohort study (Stop the Spread Ottawa-SSO) in adults living in the Ottawa region. In this paper, we describe the study design, ongoing data collection and baseline characteristics of participants. PARTICIPANTS: Since October 2020, participants who tested positive for COVID-19 (convalescents) or at high risk of exposure to the virus (under surveillance) have provided monthly blood and saliva samples over a 10-month period. As of 2 November 2021, 1026 adults had completed the baseline survey and 976 had attended baseline bloodwork. 300 participants will continue to provide bimonthly blood samples for 24 additional months (ie, total follow-up of 34 months). FINDINGS TO DATE: The median age of the baseline sample was 44 (IQR 23, range: 18-79) and just over two-thirds (n=688; 67.1%) were female. 255 participants (24.9%) had a history of COVID-19 infection confirmed by PCR and/or serology. Over 600 participants (60.0%) work in high-risk occupations (eg, healthcare, teaching and transportation). 108 participants (10.5%) reported immunocompromising conditions or treatments at baseline (eg, cancer, HIV, other immune deficiency, and/or use of immunosuppressants). FUTURE PLANS: SSO continues to yield rich research potential, given the collection of pre-vaccine baseline data and samples from the majority of participants, recruitment of diverse subgroups of interest, and a high level of participant retention and compliance with monthly sampling. The 24-month study extension will maximise opportunities to track SARS-CoV-2 immunity and vaccine efficacy, detect and characterise emerging variants, and compare subgroup humoral and cellular response robustness and persistence.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Adult , Humans , Female , Male , SARS-CoV-2 , Antibody Formation , Prospective Studies , Antibodies , Vaccination , Immunity, Cellular , Antibodies, ViralABSTRACT
Purpose To investigate the robustness and longevity of SARS-CoV-2 immune responses conferred by natural infection and vaccination among priority populations such as immunocompromised individuals and people with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 in a prospective cohort study (Stop the Spread Ottawa—SSO) in adults living in the Ottawa region. In this paper, we describe the study design, ongoing data collection and baseline characteristics of participants. Participants Since October 2020, participants who tested positive for COVID-19 (convalescents) or at high risk of exposure to the virus (under surveillance) have provided monthly blood and saliva samples over a 10-month period. As of 2 November 2021, 1026 adults had completed the baseline survey and 976 had attended baseline bloodwork. 300 participants will continue to provide bimonthly blood samples for 24 additional months (ie, total follow-up of 34 months). Findings to date The median age of the baseline sample was 44 (IQR 23, range: 18–79) and just over two-thirds (n=688;67.1%) were female. 255 participants (24.9%) had a history of COVID-19 infection confirmed by PCR and/or serology. Over 600 participants (60.0%) work in high-risk occupations (eg, healthcare, teaching and transportation). 108 participants (10.5%) reported immunocompromising conditions or treatments at baseline (eg, cancer, HIV, other immune deficiency, and/or use of immunosuppressants). Future plans SSO continues to yield rich research potential, given the collection of pre-vaccine baseline data and samples from the majority of participants, recruitment of diverse subgroups of interest, and a high level of participant retention and compliance with monthly sampling. The 24-month study extension will maximise opportunities to track SARS-CoV-2 immunity and vaccine efficacy, detect and characterise emerging variants, and compare subgroup humoral and cellular response robustness and persistence.