DySCo

Boston Medical Center Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Variants (DySCo) is a prospective cohort study of healthcare workers and patients at Boston Medical Center (BMC) in Boston, Massachusetts, launched in June 2022. The primary purpose of this study is to characterize the viral dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in this population.

Aims

The primary aims of the DySCo study are:

1. Determine the viral dynamics, including baseline viral burden and replication competency, longitudinal persistence of infectivity, and durability of immune response at 90 days, of recently-boosted or re-infected COVID-19 cases and between variants of SARS-CoV-2.

2. Increase surveillance SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing from historically underrepresented populations cared for by BMC. Determine if it is feasible to perform sequencing from and the sensitivity of RDT early in infection among those with varying existing immunity.

3. Capture the prevalence of mutations in post-vaccination infection with SARS-CoV-2. We will examine whether mutations associated with antibody evasion are selected for in vaccinated individuals. Additionally, we will use the whole genome sequencing to identify whether specific mutations are associated with longer or shorter periods of viable viral sampling.

Methods

The target sample size for DySCo is 75 participants; healthcare workers and patients at BMC who test positive for COVID-19 after study launch date are eligible to participate. Participants complete assessments of demographic characteristics, potential exposure to COVID-19, testing and vaccination history, symptoms, and medical history. Participants also complete anterior nasal swabs for COVID-19 testing for the first 14 days following diagnosis and enrollment. Blood samples for SARS-CoV-2 serology are collected at enrollment, 14 days post-enrollment, and 90 days post-enrollment.

Study status: Enrolling