University population-based prospective cohort study of SARS-CoV-2 infection and immunity (SARSSURV-ULiège): a study protocol

Abstract

IntroductionFor a safe and sustainable return to normal functioning of academic activities in higher education, objective-driven testing strategies that are flexible and rapidly adaptable are essential to effectively monitor and respond to new developments of the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, prospective longitudinal research on SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing in saliva and seroprevalence in higher education contexts is substantially lacking, limiting our understanding of COVID-19 prevalence, incidence and nature of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 at various stages of the infection and vaccination. To address this lack of evidence, a prospective population-based cohort study (SARSSURV-ULiège) has recently been started.Methods and analysisStudents (n=1396) and staff members (n=1143) of the University of Liège are followed up over more than 1 year. All participants are required to complete anamnestic, clinical and vaccine hesitancy questionnaires for medical histories and undertaken treatments. Previous proven or suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection is also registered. In phase 1, weekly saliva samples to perform RT-qPCR to detect SARS-CoV-2 and monthly COVID-19 serological rapid test results are collected. Once being positive to either saliva RT-qPCR assay for SARS-CoV-2 presence or to serological test, the participant is invited to enter phase 2. If participants get vaccinated during the study period, they are invited to phase 2. In this second phase, besides weekly saliva self-test, depending on the participants’ profiles, both gargle and blood samples are collected to obtain various biological data to measure the presence of neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, determine the magnitude and the duration of antibody responses over time.Ethics and disseminationThe study has received the approval from the University Hospital of Liège Ethics Committee (reference number 2021/96, dated 26 March 2021). Potential protocol amendments will be presented to the Research Ethics Committee. The findings of the present study will be presented at scientific conferences and the results published in peer-review publications. Weekly reports will be submitted to the risk assessment group and the risk management group against COVID-19 of the university to enable a timely public health action if necessary.

The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies within the community of a private tertiary university in the Philippines: A serial cross sectional study

“…At the moment, there was no consensus on the best approach used to evaluate COVID-19 infection status in relation to a university community [ 43 , 44 ]. Donneau and colleagues recommended the use of a saliva RT-PCR test and antibody test in conjunction with self-reporting of symptoms in order to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 in the population and characterize seroconversion and seroreversion after vaccination and infection [ 45 ]. A case study on Cornell University used 3 mechanisms to limit transmission: testing, contact tracing, and symptomatic self-reporting.…”

The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies within the community of a private tertiary university in the Philippines: a serial cross sectional study

“…At the moment, there was no consensus on the best approach used to evaluate COVID-19 infection status in relation to a university community (29,30). Donneau and colleagues recommended the use of a saliva RT-PCR test and antibody test in conjunction with self-reporting of symptoms in order to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 in the population and characterize seroconversion and seroreversion after vaccination and infection (31). A case study on Cornell University used 3 mechanisms to limit transmission: testing, contact tracing, and symptomatic self-reporting.…”

Developing a Video Game as an Awareness and Research Tool Based on SARS-CoV-2 Epidemiological Dynamics and Motivational Perspectives

“…Te University of Liège (ULiège, Belgium) has set up a research and decision think tank in response to the global pandemic development back in early 2020. Tis group was tasked to set up and support various research projects aiming to study the functioning of the SARS-CoV-2, including regular screening of the spread of coronavirus through the development of a distribution system on a voluntary basis and analysis of salivary tests developed by ULiège, applied within the university community [7] and in Belgian nursing homes [8]; developing a compartmental SEIR (susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered) ULiège model based on the testing strategy [9]; and initiating a seroprevalence study of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies based on the analysis of salivary tests among the university population, front-line hospital staf at the University Hospital of Liège, immunocompromised patients, and others sufering from Alzheimer's disease, as well as their caregivers [10]. Tese projects were made possible by the investment of ULiège's GIGA interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Center and the service for data collection and analysis and strategically useful information (RADIUS) in providing extensive analytical data.…”

“…Other points to mention are the involvement of citizens in the various stages of the scientifc process at the origin of the approach (4) while giving them feedback on the project (5). Finally, a last part concerns the production of scientifc data, with the consideration of the project involved as a real research project, with limitations and biases (6); the publication of data and metadata in open access (7); the recognition of citizens as coauthors of this data (8); the evaluation of the project according to scientifc criteria of quality (9); and ethics, confdentiality, and environmental impact (10). According to these criteria, the postcreation review of SARS Wars shows a partial adequacy to the principles of citizen sciences.…”