The project aims to clarify how immunity to SARS-CoV2 develops in humans and to investigate the possibility of finding patients with a particularly effective, neutralizing antibody response for future treatment. The project also aims to detail the virus's damage mechanisms in tissue.
There is currently a mounting body of evidence regarding the pathogenesis of COVID-19 caused
by SARS-CoV2. By gaining more knowledge about the mechanisms in the development of viral
pneumonia and the influence of other organ systems at SARS-CoV2, we believe that in the
future it is better to be able to identify precisely those persons who are at risk of serious
illness. To this we will gain knowledge of how humans develops immunity to the virus and also
how human epigenetic (acquired) ability to activate inflammatory genetic systems can limit
the harmful effects of the virus. Thus, patients who have had mild or no symptoms are just as
interesting from a study point of view as those who have had severe symptoms. Hopefully, such
understanding can also contribute to other opportunities for targeted treatment (by
identifying patients who can mount effective inborn and adaptive host defenses) in order to
prevent severe disease and death in pandemic corona infection.
Procedure: Extended sampling and procedures
The study patients will give additional blood samples and also urine and faeces samples. Spirometry and additional biometric controls will be performed regularly. Necrobiopsies of various organs from deceased patients will be secured and stored for immunohistological and virological analysis.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patients between 15-100 years with SARS-CoV2 or influenza
- Patients admitted for COVID-19 or Influenza-caused pneumonia/ pneumonitis at the
Departments of Infectious Diseases or ICU, Umeå University Hospital, Örebro hospital,
Karlstad hospital and Västerås hospital
- Patients with COVID-19 who are treated in outpatient care at the infectious Diseases
Clinic, Umeå University Hospital, Sweden
- Patients who give written informed consent to participate in the study for the entire
follow- up period of 5 years.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Age less than 15 years
Incectious Diseases Clinic
Umeå, Västerbotten, Sweden
Karlstad hospital
Karlstad, Sweden
Västerås hospital
Västerås, Sweden
Örebro university hospital
Örebro, Sweden