Anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity in scientists and healthcare professionals

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Anti-SARS-CoV2 seroconversion and neurtralizing antibody status in scientists and healthcare professionals

• IRAS ID

  285071

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 6 months, 0 days

• Research summary

  This is a study to evaluate the presence and sustainability of SARS-CoV-2 antibody across scientists and front line healthcare professionals. We know based on the Taiwan nationwide laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) database that antibodies persist for at least 6.4 weeks. Knowledge on the duration of seroconversion and neutralizing antibody status is unknown and would be important for understanding the relative risk for our workforce. It will allow us to take informed social distancing measures at the work place. At Queen Mary University of London, Dr Angray Kang has developed GloBodyTM-based immunoassays for seroconversion and neutralizing antibody status based on available SARS-CoV-2 sequence and known immunogenicity of the virus. We propose using this assay to determine the following:

  A) To evaluate how good the anti-SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and neutralizing antibody GloBodyTM test is in picking up cases with prior exposure and those with immunity.

  B)To evaluate the differences in positivity of anti-SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and neutralizing antibody status in front-line healthcare professionals and scientists.

  C)To determine the factors that influence anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody status, for example the duration of illness.

• REC name

  London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  20/HRA/2743

• Date of REC Opinion

  2 Jul 2020

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion