The effect of montelukast therapy on
airway inflammation in infant asthma
Kristiina Malmström & Mika Mäkelä
(HUS)
Children <2 year of age with
troublesome breathing, wheeze and a suspect for asthma were studied for lung
function and for clinical reasons few children were remitted for bronchoscopy
and biopsy. Carinal biopsies (50 cases) were analyzed for inflammation and
remodeling. The present study is continuum to the original study plan.
According to RNA-sequencing, epithelial inflammatory cells are of importance
and immunostaining of the biopsies is needed. Virus-binding receptors at
epithelial cells are important in asthma exacerbations and immunostaining of
receptors for some viruses will be done and due to the Covid-19 pandemia, we
will begin from novel virus SARS-CoV-2. These new immunostainings will be done
at the collaboration laboratory at Groningen, Holland.
COVID-19 -
identification of factors influencing the course of infection using HUS patient
data
Minja Pehrsson,
Miika Koskinen, Olli Carpén & al (HUS, Helsinki Biobank)
The study identifies factors
affecting COVID-19 in HUS SARS-CoV-2-tested patients. The study utilizes
electronic health information stored in the HUS Data Pool (eg diagnoses,
laboratory measurements, medicines administered in the hospital) as well as
genomic information produced from Helsinki Bank's biobank samples and
medication information obtained from Kela. In this way, we aim to form an
overall picture of the expression and severity of symptoms in COVID-19
patients. The aim of the study is to identify the specific features that
predispose COVID-19-infected individuals to a severe form of the disease.
Incidence, development and risk factors for COVID-19 disease; cohort
follow-up study
Karin Blomgren, Anu Kantele-Häkkinen & al (HUS, University of
Helsinki)
We will contact approximately four hundred individuals who provided a
biobank sample in 2018-2019. The contacted persons are asked to provide new
blood samples during the COVID-19 epidemic and to respond to symptom questionnaires
included in the study. The aim of the study is to obtain new information about
the antibodies in the virus and the relationship between hereditary factors and
the severity of symptoms.
Understanding the hereditary background of coronavirus (COVID-19)
infection as part of FinnGen biobank research (www.finngen.fi)
A biobank survey covering the whole of Finland, involving all Finnish
biobanks
Extensive individual variation in the course of coronavirus infection
has been observed. One explanation for this may be individual differences in
human genetic factors. The role of genetic factors in coronavirus infection is
now being studied as part of the FinnGen research project covering the whole of
Finland. The biobank samples collected in the FinnGen research project
generally provide information on the hereditary background of many different
diseases. Now the role of genes in coronavirus infection can be studied in
people who have been infected and whose DNA has been analyzed as part of the
FinnGen project. With the help of information from genetic factors, it would be
possible, for example, to choose the most appropriate form of treatment for the
patient. The study is part of the international COVID-19 Host Genetics
Initiative research collaboration, which collects information on the genetic
factors of people with coronavirus infection around the world.