The US Department of Veterans Affairs Science and Health Initiative to Combat Infectious and Emerging Life-Threatening Diseases (VA SHIELD): A Biorepository Addressing National Health Threats. (14th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harley, John B; Pyarajan, Saiju; Partan, Elizabeth S; Epstein, Lauren; Wertheim, Jason A; Diwan, Abhinav; Woods, Christopher W; Davey, Victoria; Blair, Sharlene; Clark, Dennis H; Kaufman, Kenneth M; Khan, Shagufta; Chepelev, Iouri; Devine, Alexander; Cameron, Perry; McCann, Monica F; Ammons, Mary Cloud B; Bolz, Devin D; Battles, Jane K; Curtis, Jeffrey L; Holodniy, Mark; Marconi, Vincent C; Searles, Charles D; Beenhouwer, David O; Brown, Sheldon T; Moorman, Jonathan P; Yao, Zhi Q; Rodriguez-Barradas, Maria C; Mohapatra, Shyam; Molina De Rodriguez, Osmara Y; Padiernos, Emerson B; McIndoo, Eric R; Price, Emily; Burgoyne, Hailey M; Robey, Ian; Schwenke, Dawn C; Shive, Carey L; Przygodzki, Ronald M; Ramoni, Rachel B; Krull, Holly K; Bonomo, Robert A;
• Is Part Of: Open forum infectious diseases. Volume 9:Number 12(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12-14
• Subjects: biological specimen banks -- communicable diseases -- COVID-19 sequence analysis -- data warehousing -- government agencies -- health policy -- public health surveillance -- Veterans health; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac641
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2328-8957

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has demonstrated the need to share data and biospecimens broadly to optimize clinical outcomes for US military Veterans. Methods: In response, the Veterans Health Administration established VA SHIELD (Science and Health Initiative to Combat Infectious and Emerging Life-threatening Diseases), a comprehensive biorepository of specimens and clinical data from affected Veterans to advance research and public health surveillance and to improve diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. Results: VA SHIELD now comprises 12 sites collecting de-identified biospecimens from US Veterans affected by SARS-CoV-2. In addition, 2 biorepository sites, a data processing center, and a coordinating center have been established under the direction of the Veterans Affairs Office of Research and Development. Phase 1 of VA SHIELD comprises 34 157 samples. Of these, 83.8% had positive tests for SARS-CoV-2, with the remainder serving as contemporaneous controls. The samples include nasopharyngeal swabs (57.9%), plasma (27.9%), and sera (12.5%). The associated clinical and demographic information available permits the evaluation of biological data in the context of patient demographics, clinical experience and management, vaccinations, and comorbidities. Conclusions: VA SHIELD is representative of US national diversity with a significant potential to impact national healthcare. VA SHIELD will support future projects designed to better understand SARS-CoV-2 and other emergent healthcare crises. To the extent possible, VA SHIELD will facilitate the discovery of diagnostics and therapeutics intended to diminish COVID-19 morbidity and mortality and to reduce the impact of new emerging threats to the health of US Veterans and populations worldwide. Abstract : The US Department of Veterans Affairs has implemented a biorepository providing biological specimens and data for studies of COVID-19, while simultaneously preparing for subsequent emerging life-threatening diseases. These resources are available for investigators to study COVID-19 and future emerging diseases.