About CON-VINCE

CON-VINCE (COvid-19 National survey for assessing Viral spread by Non-affected CarriErs) is a national research project launched in April 2020 under the aegis of Research Luxembourg’s COVID-19 task force. The project aims to evaluate the dynamics of the spread of COVID-19 within the Luxembourgish population.

Through screening a panel of approximately 1,500 participants for the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the study has identified asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic individuals and followed them together with uninfected participants up for a year. The research provides vital data on the prevalence and transmission of the disease, helping inform evidence-based decisions for public health responses.

A full overview of the CON-VINCE study was published in a scientific journal and can be accessed freely here

Research Impact

CON-VINCE generates accurate data on:

– The prevalence and transmission of COVID-19 in Luxembourg
– The role of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic carriers in viral spread
– The psychological and socio-economic impact of the pandemic on the population
– Long-term immune responses and potential protection against reinfection
– Other factors influencing disease susceptibility and severity

The project contributes to Luxembourg’s important COVID-19 research and provides crucial insights for managing future public health emergencies.

Key Project Components

– Representative population sampling of Luxembourg residents aged 18 and older
– Regular testing for SARS-CoV-2 through RT-PCR and antibody tests
– Collection and analysis of biosamples for research
– Assessment of psychological and socioeconomic impacts
– Study of viral variants and immune responses

Frequently Asked Questions

For study participants

• How can I contact the CON-VINCE Study team?

The CON-VINCE Study team is available for any request via  con-vince@lih.lu Monday to Friday from 8:00 – 17:00.

• I had a positive antibody test (serology). What does this mean for my immune status?

A positive antibody test shows that your immune system has responded to a previous COVID-19 infection or vaccination. While antibodies are an important part of the immune response, protection against reinfection depends on several factors, including:
– The time elapsed since your last infection or vaccination
– The virus variant you are exposed to
– Your general health status

Even with antibodies, you can still be infected with the virus and transmit it, though your risk of severe illness is significantly reduced. Scientific evidence shows that “hybrid immunity” (through both vaccination and infection) provides the most comprehensive protection. Nevertheless, it is advisable to maintain basic hygiene measures, especially when in contact with vulnerable individuals.

• What will happen to my data?

Your personal data will be collected and analysed in order to achieve the scientific objectives of the study (analysis of the epidemiological, socio-economic and psychological aspects of containment during the pandemic). We ensure the protection of your data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of 27 April 2016, applicable from 25 May 2018, known as ‘GDPR’. Detailed information on data processing can be found in the subject information sheet. If you have any questions about the processing of your personal data by the LIH or LCSB/UL, you can find more information under https://www.lih.lu/en/data-privacy/ or directly contact the Data Protection Officer by email at dpo@lih.lu or dpo@uni.lu.

• Where can I find a copy of the subject information sheet and the informed consent form?

A copy of the subject information sheet and informed consent form can be found in different languages here EN, FR and DE

For Researchers

The CON-VINCE team can be contacted via con-vince@lih.lu.

About the Study

• What makes CON-VINCE unique?

While most prevalence studies offer only a one-time snapshot, CON-VINCE has incorporated multiple follow-up visits over time. This provides up-to-date clinical information in a changing environment and allows us to study how the virus spread, immune responses, and symptoms evolve over time.

• What types of tests were performed in the study?

Two main types of tests were conducted:

– PCR tests to detect the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus using nasopharyngeal swabs
– Serology tests to detect antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, indicating previous exposure to the virus

• How reliable are the tests used in CON-VINCE?

The study uses high-quality validated tests:

– PCR Testing: Uses the Seegene Allplex nCoV-2019 qPCR test with confirmation by WHO/CDC recommended methods
– Antibody Testing: Uses the Euroimmun Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Elisa (IgG and IgA) tests, which show high reliability particularly after 10 days post-infection

Research Findings and Data

• What happens to collected samples and data?

As part of this research project, specific tests are foreseen on the samples (e.g. serology – analysis of blood antibodies that indicate if the immune system reacted against the coronavirus and/or the vaccine). New knowledge about the SARS-CoV-2 infection is gained daily through the efforts of researchers world-wide. For this reason the methods applied to test your samples may vary according to state of the art. Overall, all future analysis and testing on these samples will be limited to projects focusing on infectious diseases and immunology.

• How does CON-VINCE contribute to other COVID-19 research?

CON-VINCE data contributes to several international research initiatives and helps understand:

– Long-term immunity patterns
– Virus variants and their spread
– Population-level impacts of COVID-19
– Factors influencing disease severity
– Effectiveness of public health measures

Current Status

• Is the study still recruiting participants?

No, CON-VINCE has completed its recruitment phase. However, the research team continues to analyze collected samples and data, generating important insights about COVID-19’s impact in Luxembourg.

• What ongoing research is being conducted with CON-VINCE samples and data?

Current research includes:

– Analysis of long-term immunity patterns
– Studies of genetic factors influencing COVID-19 susceptibility
– Investigation of viral variants
– Assessment of socioeconomic and psychological impacts
– Contribution to international COVID-19 research initiatives

Below we link the scientific publications using samples and data collected in CON-VINCE:

– Snoeck, C.J. et al. (2020) Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the Luxembourgish Population – the CON-VINCE Study;
– Ribeiro, F. et al. (2021) The Evolution and Social Determinants of Mental Health during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Outbreak in Luxembourg. Psychiatry Res 2021, 303, 114090.
– Pauly, C. et al. The Moderating Role of Resilience in the Personality-Mental Health Relationship During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Psychiatry 2021, 12, 745636.
– Holuka, C. et al. Adverse Life Trajectories Are a Risk Factor for SARS-CoV-2 IgA Seropositivity. J Clin Med 2021, 10 (10), 2159.
– Da Silva et al (2023)., Validation of a SARS-CoV-2 Surrogate Neutralization Test Detecting Neutralizing Antibodies against the Major Variants of Concern
– De Nies, L. et al. (2023) Altered infective competence of the human gut microbiome in COVID-19. Microbiome 2023, 11, 46
– Tsurkalenka O. et al. 2024 Creation of a pandemic memory by tracing COVID‑19 infections and immunity in Luxembourg (CON‑VINCE)
– Pauly L et al. (2024) Lessons learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic: Identifying hesitant groups and exploring reasons for vaccination hesitancy, from adolescence to late adulthood.

• What other projects does CON-VINCE contribute data and samples to?

– ORCHESTRA
– CoVaLux
– COMMUTE

Study Partners

The CON-VINCE study is being conducted with the support of TNS-ILRES for the selection of participants and Ketterthill, Laboratoires Réunis, BioneXt Lab, LIH and Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS) as associated partners for the collection of samples. The study is co-financed by the National Research Fund (FNR) with an amount of 1.4 million euros and by the André Losch Foundation with a financial commitment of 800,000 euros. Research Luxembourg is a joint initiative of the main players in public research in Luxembourg (Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH); Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER); Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST); Laboratoire national de santé (LNS); University of Luxembourg; National Research Fund (FNR); Luxinnovation), under the coordination of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, whose main objective is to promote scientific collaboration in Luxembourg and to communicate the activities of the entire sector.