ImMUnologiCal memOry to reSpirAtory viraL infection in the airways
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A longitudinal cohort study to better understand the Immunological memory to respiratory viral infection in the upper and lower airways
IRAS ID
342829
Contact name
Andrea Collins
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research Governance, Ethics & Assurance Team (RGEA), University of Oxford
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study will investigate how the immune system responds to respiratory viral infections in the respiratory tract itself (nose and lung), how it is maintained locally and how it correlates with our responses in other parts of the body (blood and local tissues).
Immune responses to natural infection differ from those induced by vaccination. The type of immunity induced by intramuscular vaccines is normally robust but targets a limited range of immune responses. This immune response is usually studied in the blood. A natural respiratory infection however may create a more extensive immunological response. The natural infection is also able to create immune responses in the mucosal membranes of the nose and lung. These local defence mechanisms are considered long-lived and could lead to quicker resolution of new infections. Immunity combined by infection and vaccination is called hybrid immunity.
We will recruit up to 200 adults (aged 18-85 years) with a recent and confirmed respiratory viral infection. All participants will undergo samples from the nose and blood, and a research bronchoscopy. This procedure involves looking into the lungs with a small, thin and flexible camera called a bronchoscope and will be performed by specialists. Some of the study participants will be offered a follow-up visit at 4 months post infection (blood and nasal cell donation) and an additional visit at 9-12 months after the initial infection, including bronchoscopy. If individuals contract a new respiratory viral infection they will be invited for another bronchoscopy and nasal and blood samples.
This study aims to provide a better understanding of how the immune system at the nose and airways respond to various viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, RSV, influenza etc, how long natural/hybrid immunity can last and how likely it is to confer protection against repeat respiratory viral infections.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/NW/0353
Date of REC Opinion
14 Jan 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion