The timely involvement of Biobank Pilsen (Czech Republic) in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The pandemic of COVID-19 affected all health care systems worldwide and the Czech Republic was one of successful European countries during the first wave in early spring 2020. The epidemiological data of COVID-19 deaths were compared with influenza deaths data from 2018, 2019 significantly lower. Currently the Czech Republic is facing the second wave with much worse course than in spring 2020. Methods and Results: University Hospital in Pilsen is the key health-care institution in the region and the pandemic completely changed the functioning of the whole hospital. Laboratory of immunochemical diagnostics and Biobank were among the departments which have flexibly responded to the novel situation. While clinical departments were put into the emergency regime, the laboratory and Biobank started specimen collections related to COVID-19 and probing of antibody and later on antigen tests from different manufacturers. Samples related to COVID-19 (blood plasma and serum) as well as associated data have been collected, according to standard biobank collecting procedures, and were used partially for internal research purposes. From March to May, all blood sample leftovers of the diagnostics routine were stored in biobank as -Population samples COVID-19- group (approx. 3.800 specimens). From June two sample collections were organized: 1/ University Hospital employees (approx. 1500 subjects), 2/ COVID-19 positive subjects - samples collected 4 weeks after the healing. Antibodies Anti-SARS-CoV-2 and 25OH vitamin D were measured in these samples and repeated tests on these subjects are planned after 3 and 6 months. Conclusions: University Hospital in Pilsen responded to the COVID-19 pandemic very quickly, effectively, and flexibly, to save the health of COVID-19 patients, and medical staff at all levels, and contributed to the successful controlling of pandemic. Biobank in Pilsen started specimen collections related to COVID-19 for probing of antibody and later on antigen tests, and for future research. COVID-19 related activities were coordinated at national level and at the international level with BBMRI-ERIC (Biobanking and BioMolecular resources Research Infrastructure - European Research Infrastructure Consortium).