Learning from post-COVID-19 condition for epidemic preparedness: a variable catalogue for future post-acute infection syndromes
Clinical Microbiology and Infection, vol. 31, pp. 380–388
Abstract
SCOPE: The emergence of post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) after SARS-CoV-2 infection underscores the critical need for preparedness in addressing future post-acute infection syndromes (PAIS), particularly those linked to epidemic outbreaks. The lack of standardized clinical and epidemiological data during the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly hindered timely diagnosis and effective treatment of PCC, highlighting the necessity of pre-emptively standardizing data collection in clinical studies to better define and manage future PAIS. In response, the Cohort Coordination Board, a consortium of European-funded COVID-19 research projects, has reviewed data from PCC studies conducted by its members. This paper leverages the Cohort Coordination Board's expertise to propose a standardized catalogue of variables, informed by the lessons learned during the pandemic, intended for immediate use in the design of future observational studies and clinical trials for emerging infections of epidemic potential. RECOMMENDATIONS: The early implementation of standardized data collection, facilitated by the PAIS data catalogue, is essential for accelerating the identification and management of PAIS in future epidemics. This approach will enable more precise syndrome definitions, expedite diagnostic processes, and optimize treatment strategies, while also supporting long-term follow-up of affected individuals. The availability of harmonized data collection protocols will enhance preparedness across European and international cohort studies, and trials enabling a prompt and coordinated response, as well as more efficient resource allocation, in the event of emerging infections and associated PAIS.
Authors 22
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Affiliation as printed
Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Medical School, Basic and Clinical Studies Department, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
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Affiliation as printed
UCL Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, United Kingdom
UCL Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
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University of Milan · Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Santi Paolo e Carlo
Affiliation as printed
Clinic of Infectious Diseases, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
Clinic of Infectious Diseases, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, University of Milan, Italy
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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National Institute for Public Health and the Environment
Affiliation as printed
Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Women's and Children's Health, Università Degli Studi di Padova, Padova, Italy
Department of Women's and Children's Health, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova, Italy
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University Medical Center Utrecht
Affiliation as printed
Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
EuResist Network GEIE, Rome, Italy
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Affiliation as printed
Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research, University College Dublin, Ireland
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University of Milan · Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Santi Paolo e Carlo
Affiliation as printed
Clinic of Infectious Diseases, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Department of Health Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
Clinic of Infectious Diseases, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, University of Milan, Italy; Department of Health Science, University of Milan, Italy
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Affiliation as printed
Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Affiliation as printed
Department of Vaccines and Immunisation, Division of Infectious Disease Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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Luxembourg Institute of Health
Affiliation as printed
Competence Centre for Methodology and Statistics, Department of Medical Informatics, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
Competence Centre for Methodology and Statistics, Department of Medical Informatics, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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Maastricht University Medical Centre
Affiliation as printed
Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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National Institute for Public Health and the Environment
Affiliation as printed
Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL · University College London
Affiliation as printed
MRC Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Fondazione Penta ETS, Padova, Italy
MRC Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, United Kingdom; Fondazione Penta ETS, Padova, Italy
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Instituto de Salud Carlos III · Centro Nacional de Epidemiología
Affiliation as printed
National Center for Epidemiology, Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: jlpenalvo@isciii.es
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