| Title: |
COVID-19 immunology research - what do we know and what are the research priorities? |
| Authors: |
Akbar, Arne; Altmann, Danny; Bottazzi, Maria Elena; Breuer, Judith; Hayday, Adrian; Hussell, Tracy; Klenerman, Paul; Lloyd, Clare; Lord, Janet; Openshaw, Peter; Payne, Ruth; Power, Ultan; Smith, Ken; Thwaites, Ryan; Xu, Xiao-Ning; Brown, Doug; Evans, Jennie; Bohm, Elizabeth; Ritchie, Sarah; Bloy, Abigail |
| Source: |
Akbar, A, Altmann, D, Bottazzi, M E, Breuer, J, Hayday, A, Hussell, T, Klenerman, P, Lloyd, C, Lord, J, Openshaw, P, Payne, R, Power, U, Smith, K, Thwaites, R, Xu, X-N, Brown, D, Evans, J, Bohm, E, Ritchie, S & Bloy, A 2020, COVID-19 immunology research - what do we know and what are the research priorities? British Society for Immunology. < https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-immunology-research-what-do-we-know-and-what-are-the-research-priorities-1-may-2020 > |
| Publisher Information: |
British Society for Immunology |
| Publication Year: |
2020 |
| Collection: |
Queen's University Belfast: Research Portal |
| Subject Terms: |
/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being; name=SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being |
| Description: |
SARS-CoV-2* is a novel coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19*. Scientific investigation of the disease is unprecedented and based on a remarkable mobilisation of international expertise and data sharing. The UK is at the forefront of immunological research globally and is contributing at the highest level to tackling the pandemic. Much has been learnt about who the disease affects and its mechanisms, leading to new therapeutics and prevention prospects. This report aims to summarise what we know, and what we do not, about the immunology of COVID-19*, and set immunology research priorities. An asterisk (*) denotes words that appear in the glossary (Annex 4). SARS-CoV-2* is more highly infectious than the SARS1* virus, and COVID-19* has become a deadly pandemic. Until we have a protective vaccine or effective therapeutics, social (physical) distancing is the most effective control measure available to control to virus. Studies are underway to discover the number of us that have been infected with and so have specific antibody to SARS-CoV-2* (‘sero-prevalence’*). However, scaling lab-based antibody tests to commercial equivalents is challenging; some high-throughput tests may produce false-positives to antibodies against other coronaviruses, like the common cold. Questions also remain around to what extent the antibody response mounted by thoses exposed to SARS-CoV-2* can protect against future infection, and what role immune cells including T lymphocytes* may play in protective immunity. This means ‘antibody-positive passports’ cannot be relied upon at this stage. Exposure to higher doses of the virus may lead to more severe disease, so the use of personal protective equipment by healthcare workers is particularly important. Although we do not yet have good tests for infectiousness, studies suggest that people with severe disease may remain infectious for longer than those who experience mild symptoms. Physical distancing therefore remains crucial while we learn more about the spread of this disease and ... |
| Document Type: |
book |
| File Description: |
application/pdf |
| Language: |
English |
| Availability: |
https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/publications/4ac0486c-47cf-483b-991e-973de6e68882; https://pureadmin.qub.ac.uk/ws/files/288656382/Final_COVID_19_Immunology_report.pdf; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-immunology-research-what-do-we-know-and-what-are-the-research-priorities-1-may-2020 |
| Rights: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.D4E4DB1A |
| Database: |
BASE |