SARS Seroprevalence Study
The SARS Seroprevalence Study is being conducted by
the SARS Research Group at Mount Sinai Hospital. This study focuses
on individuals who may have been infected by the SARS virus, but
did not develop the symptoms defined as a probable or suspect SARS
case. Whether or not the SARS virus can cause such asymptomatic
infections is not known. We want to compare those health care workers
who had exposure to SARS patients versus those who did not. Seroprevalance
involves testing blood for the presence or absence of an antibody.
If a person has been exposed to a virus, they will often have antibodies
to that virus present in their blood.
The purpose of this study is to determine the presence and levels
of asymptomatic or sub-clinical SARS exposure. Eligible participants
are individuals who had contact with a SARS case, and never met
the definition of a probable or suspect SARS case themselves. This
study requires that a blood sample be taken. Individual results
will remain confidential, however participants will be able to request
their own blood results.
At this time, we cannot determine if having SARS antibodies will
grant any short-term or long-term protection from SARS in the future.
Further investigation on this topic will likely be done in the future,
especially if researchers are looking at the prospect of creating
a SARS vaccine.
If you would like more information on the SARS Seroprevalence Study,
please call 416-586-3142.
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