In order to prevent reinfection, it is needed to detect the cellular-mediated immuneresponse to the Sars-CoV-2 infection. The first goal of this study will be to detect thecellular-mediated immune response in patients affected by COVID-19 (with or withoutvaccination) and healthy subjects who undergone vaccination program. The second goal ofthis study will be to identify the genetic and epigenetic biomarkers that influenceindividual immunological response and clinical evolution to the severe manifestations ofthe COVID-19.
First goal: Characterization of the immune response using detailed phenotypic evaluation
of the adaptive compartment comprising B, T, and NK cells. The Investigators aim is to
detect the cellular-mediated immune response in patients affected by COVID-19 and
subjects who undergone vaccination program.
The Investigators will recruit three classes of subjects:
1. Patients with previous Sars-CoV-2 infection who did not undergo vaccination;
2. Patients with previous Sars-CoV-2 infection who undergone vaccination;
3. Subjects without previous Sars-CoV-2 infection who undergone vaccination.
Second goal: Evaluation of genetic and epigenetic biomarkers that influence individual
immunological response and susceptibility to thromboembolic manifestations in severe
COVID-19 hospitalized patients.
The Investigators will recruit:
1. A total of 50 severe COVID-19 patients admitted to the Sub-Intensive Care Unit of
A.O.R.N. Ospedali dei Colli, Cotugno Hospital, Naples (Italy) of which N=50 with
thromboembolic complications (PE+) and N=50 without thromboembolic complications
(PE-);
2. A total of N=50 healthy subjects (never diagnosed with Sars-Cov2 infection) among
the volunteer blood donors attending the U.O.C. Divisione di Immunologia Clinica,
Immunoematologia, Medicina Trasfusionale e Immunologia dei Trapianti, Dipartimento
di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, AOU, "L. Vanvitelli" University of Campania
(Naples, Italy)
Diagnostic Test: Multitest 6 color TBNK and BD Lyotubes
The Multitest 6 color TBNK allows us to count the population-specific B, T, NK cells
Biological: genomicDNA extraction
Peripheral blood biospecimens (about 10-15 mL) will be collected through venipuncture in
EDTA tubes. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) will be isolated using Ficoll®
Paque Plus (Sigma-Aldrich) centrifugation gradient and genomic DNA will be extracted from
fresh PBMCs using DNeasy Blood & Tissue kit (QIAGEN), according to manufacturer protocols
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age > 18 years
- Previous diagnosis of COVID-19
- Absence of COVID-19 diagnosis
Exclusion Criteria:
- Age <18 years
- Inflammatory diseases
U.O.C. Division of Clinical Immunology, Immunohematology, Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Immunology, Regional Reference Laboratory of Transplant Immunology, Department of Internal and Specialty Medicine, A.O.U., UniversityofCampania "Luigi Vanvitelli
Napoli, Italy
Investigator: Giuditta Benincasa, BiolD, MSc
giuditta.benincasa@unicampania.it
Giuditta Benincasa, BiolD. MSc
+39 0815667916
giuditta.benincasa@unicampania.it