Immune Cells in Inflammatory Arthritis With Coronaviruses, Including COVID-19

Immune Cells and the Coronavirus for Inflammatory Arthritis

A team at the University of Manchester are developing a test that tcould be helpful in detecting immunity to the Coronavirus (which causes the COVID-19 disease) in participants with inflammatory arthritis. It is based on a flu assay has already developed; the team will replace the flu antigen with a Coronavirus antigen to see if it is effective.

This project aims to develop a test to see if people who have had the virus have developed immunity to it. This could help to predict who might or might not get the disease a second time, who should stay at home to be protected from potential infection or who will not develop any symptoms, even if exposed to the virus.

When vaccination trials against the Coronavirus will be launched, this test could also help to see if the vaccine is effective.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Has previously taken part in either the BRAGGSS or National Repository Healthy Volunteer Study
• Has agreed to be contacted abut future research projects
• Has previously provided a blood sample for either the BRAGGSS or National Repository Healthy Volunteer Study
• Is willing to complete the informed consent form, registration slip, questionnaire and provide a 40ml blood sample
• Has a good written understanding of English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Has not previously taken part in either the BRAGGSS or National Repository Healthy Volunteer Study
• Has not agreed to be contacted abut future research projects
• Has not previously provided a blood sample for either the BRAGGSS or National Repository Healthy Volunteer Study
• Is not willing to complete the informed consent form, registration slip, questionnaire and provide a 40ml blood sample
• Has not got a good written understanding of English