The principal aim of the COMMUNITY study is to investigate immune responses followingSARS-CoV-2 infection and/or vaccination in healthcare workers and hospitalized COVID-19patients. The study aims to enroll a total of 5,000 healthcare workers and 500 COVID-19patients. All participants are enrolled at Danderyd Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden.Participants will be followed every four months with blood and mucosal sampling inaddition to demographic and clinical data provided by the participants and from nationalregistries.Primary outcome: - Antibody responses in blood and mucosa following SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or vaccinationSecondary outcomes: - Cellular immune responses following SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or vaccination - Antibody responses in blood and mucosa following following Influenza A/B infection and/or vaccination - Antibody responses in blood and mucosa following following RSV A/B infectionBlood and mucosal samples are collected every 4 months and at tighter intervals in substudies. PCR testing is conducted upon symptoms of respiratory infections and withregular intervals regardless of symptomatology in sub studies. Participants providedetailed demographic and clinical data through a smart phone application-basedquestionnaire. Data on infection and vaccination history is collected from nationalregistries
The COMMUNITY study is designed to longitudinally follow healthcare workers and recovered
COVID-19 patients to assess SARS-CoV-2 immune responses over time. Follow-ups are
conducted every four months, including serum, PBMC, and mucosa (saliva and nasal
secretions) samples. Sub studies with additional samplings and PCR screenings are
conducted with regular intervals to assess vaccine responses and correlates to protection
against infection.
Analyses include:
- Quantification and characterization of antibody responses
- Evaluation of T and B-cell responses
- RT-qPCR detection of viral infection
- Mucosal microbiome evaluation
Clinical and demographic data, including information on hospital workplace, exposure,
immunosuppressive treatments or conditions, and results from SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Diagnostic
Tests, are collected at each follow-up through a smartphone-based app system. Data on
SARS-CoV-2 infections and vaccinations are obtained from national registries. In
addition, data from home based PCR-screenings are continuously being monitored for
SARS-CoV-2, Influenza and RSV infections.
All samples are stored in Biobank Sweden.
Other: Blood sampling
Venous blood sampling
Other: Mucosal sampling
Saliva and nasal secretions
Diagnostic Test: PCR-test
RT qPCR test to determine infection with SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A/B and/or RSV A/B.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Health care workers: Employment at Danderyd hospital at time of enrollment
- COVID-19 patients: Admitted to Danderyd Hospital with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection
at time of enrollment
Exclusion Criteria:
- No exclusion criteria
Danderyd hospital
Stockholm, Sweden
Karolinska Institutet Danderyd Hospital
Stockholm, Sweden
Nina Greilert Norin, RN
+ 46812355000
nina.greilert@ki.se
Charlotte Thålin, MD, PhD, Principal Investigator
Department of Clinical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet Danderyd Hospital