Study protocol for the St James's Hospital, Tallaght University Hospital, Trinity College Dublin Allied Researchers' (STTAR) Bioresource for COVID-19

Abstract

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.

Blood–brain barrier disruption and sustained systemic inflammation in individuals with long COVID-associated cognitive impairment

“…We collected serum and plasma samples from 76 inpatients with acute COVID-19 recruited as part of the St James’s Hospital, Tallaght University Hospital, Trinity College Dublin Allied Researchers Bioresource collection during the initial wave of COVID-19 in March and April 2020 (Extended Data Fig. 1a ) 31 . Twenty-five unaffected control samples were collected before the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Characterisation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine signature in severe COVID-19

“…This study was carried out within the St James’s Hospital, Tallaght University Hospital, Trinity College Dublin Allied Researchers’ (STTAR) Bioresource based in Dublin, Ireland which has been previously described ( 33 ). The STTAR Bioresource is a dual-site cohort study across two university teaching hospitals which has recruited patients with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) confirmed acute SARS-CoV-2 infection (Cobas © SARS-CoV-2 test, Roche Diagnostics, Rotkreuz, Switzerland) in addition to healthy control groups.…”

Effect of Immunosuppression on the Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Vaccination

“…Two cohorts were studied: one focusing on acute COVID-19 (Cohort 1, Table 1) and one on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (Cohort 2, Table 2). Participants were either AAV patients previously recruited to a national vasculitis registry, the RITA Ireland Vasculitis (RIV) Registry and Biobank [28], or participants recruited to the St James's, Tallaght University Hospital, Trinity Alliance for Research (STTAR) COVID-19 Biobank [29]. The STTAR Bioresource study was granted ethical approval by the SJH/TUH Joint Research and Ethics Committee (JREC 2020-05 List 19).…”