HRB Open Research (Mar 2022)

Study protocol for the St James's Hospital, Tallaght University Hospital, Trinity College Dublin Allied Researchers' (STTAR) Bioresource for COVID-19 [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]

  • Clíona Ní Cheallaigh,
  • Laura O'Doherty,
  • Nicole Wood,
  • Stuart Hendricken Phelan,
  • Jacklyn Sui,
  • Sorcha O'Brien,
  • Fergal Howley,
  • Cian Mangan,
  • Noor Adeebah Mohamed Razif,
  • Siobhan O'Regan,
  • Ruth Argue,
  • Ciara Conlan,
  • Adam Dyer,
  • Samuel Holohan,
  • Roman Romero-Ortuno,
  • Liam Townsend,
  • Fara Salleh,
  • Colm Kerr,
  • Gerard Hughes,
  • Alberto Sanz,
  • Derval Reidy,
  • Andrea Kelly,
  • Emma Connolly,
  • Siobhan Gargan,
  • Conor Reddy,
  • Heike Hawerkamp,
  • Eamon Breen,
  • Ignacio Martin-Loeches,
  • Jean Dunne,
  • Aideen Long,
  • Anne Marie McLaughlin,
  • Padraic Fallon,
  • Orla Shiels,
  • Ciaran Bannan,
  • Martina Hennessy,
  • Ana Rakovac,
  • Anna Rose Prior,
  • Ross McManus,
  • William McCormack,
  • Colm Bergin,
  • Seamus Donnelly,
  • Mark Little,
  • Emma Leacy,
  • Niall Conlon

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5

Abstract

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Background: The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began in Ireland with the first confirmed positive case in March 2020. In the early stages of the pandemic clinicians and researchers in two affiliated Dublin hospitals identified the need for a COVID-19 biobanking initiative to support and enhance research into the disease. Through large scale analysis of clinical, regional, and genetic characteristics of COVID-19 patients, biobanks have helped identify, and so protect, at risk patient groups The STTAR Bioresource has been created to collect and store data and linked biological samples from patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and healthy and disease controls. Aim: The primary objective of this study is to build a biobank, to understand the clinical characteristics and natural history of COVID-19 infection with the long-term goal of research into improved disease understanding, diagnostic tests and treatments. Methods: This is a prospective dual-site cohort study across two tertiary acute university teaching hospitals. Patients are recruited from inpatient wards or outpatient clinics. Patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection as well as healthy and specific disease control groups are recruited. Biological samples are collected and a case report form detailing demographic and medical background is entered into the bespoke secure online Dendrite database. Impact: The results of this study will be used to inform national and international strategy on health service provision and disease management related to COVID-19. In common with other biobanks, study end points evolve over time as new research questions emerge. They currently include patient survival, occurrence of severe complications of the disease or its therapy, occurrence of persistent symptoms following recovery from the acute illness and vaccine responses.

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