Christchurch researchers are aiming to get a handle on the number of Kiwis exposed to COVID-19 and how long antibodies
to COVID-19 may last as part of a Government-funded study.
Professor Chris Pemberton and a team from the University of Otago, Christchurch, have been funded by the Ministry of
Business, Innovation and Employment to test up to 3,000 New Zealanders to see if they have been exposed to COVID-19. The
team will test a representative group of Kiwis – aged from 10 to 80 from many regions of the country – to see if they
have been exposed to the virus and developed antibodies. They will also follow the participants over three years to
assess medium term outcomes – especially those of the heart - from COVID-19 exposure.
Professor Pemberton, who heads up the Translational Biodiscovery Laboratory at the Christchurch Heart Institute, a
University of Otago Christchurch research group, says the study will provide important information on antibody longevity
and scope, especially in the vaccination era, and mediumterm heart health.
“Antibodies are an important defence against a virus such as COVID-19 and their presence is one proof it has encountered
the virus. We have developed new tests to antibodies specific for COVID-19 as well as virus proteins that can identify
whether someone has contracted COVID-19 and how their body has dealt with it. We are particularly interested in looking
at why some people develop “long COVID” and have a protracted recovery. Over the next three years, the team will marry
specific test results with people’s health records to see how exposure to the virus affected their health, especially
with respect to the heart.”
Professor Pemberton says because the study will look at a wide range of New Zealanders and follow them over time, it
will potentially show an evolving immune-based picture of the virus and post-infection cardiac outcomes. This will be
compared with individuals who have been vaccinated and give some indication of the protective effects of vaccination.
The study will also focus on how the virus affects heart health. Professor Pemberton says previous international
evidence shows people who have an acute viral infection may be more vulnerable to cardiac events in the short term and
more likely to suffer another cardiac emergency compared with other patients.
“We will be able to see the severity of disease in those who experienced COVID-19 and how it affects people’s heart
health. We want to explore whether people who have a moderate to severe case of COVID experience cardiovascular issues
later down the track.”
The researchers have developed their tests and have begun recruiting participants.
The study will have a distinctly “NZ Inc.’ flavour as critical components needed to manufacture the tests are New
Zealand-made.
“We have had a fantastic collaboration with University colleagues and those at SeraTec NZ to keep key components of our
test internally made and sourced, thus protecting our supply chain from potential future closures/restrictions, not just
here but elsewhere. Plus, we are proud to be supporting and help advance Kiwi biotechnology in this area,” Professor
Pemberton says.
The study is funded by the MBIE COVID-19 Innovation Acceleration Fund.