COVID-19 Clinical Trials and Expanded Access

This study is to establish an accurate, robust and easily scalable COVID-19 viral nucleic acid analysis platform from, but not limited to, saliva to help enable and support contact tracing in the canton of Baselland/ Switzerland. To achieve this, crude ribonucleotide acid (RNA) extraction from saliva is validated in combination with next-generation sequencing (NGS) diagnostics and loop mediated amplification (LAMP) assays as well as point of care test (POCT) for rapid detection of viral antigens on patients' samples.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are of potential help in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), due to their anti-inflammatory properties. The investigators will analyze the effect of 3 iterative infusions of ex vivo expanded Wharton's Jelly MSCs (total dose 2.10^6/kg) in patients with ARDS due to COVID19, who require mechanical ventilation.

This study is a prospective, observational, open, monocentric multisite, pharmacokinetic study of hydroxychloroquine in critically ill patients. The aim of this study is to assess the pharmacokinetic behavior of hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 critically ill patients treated with crushed hydroxychloroquine tablets (administered enterally using a nasogastric tube).

The purpose of this study is to identify behaviours and experiences of communities healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses and physiotherapists) in the management of the SARS-CoV 2 epidemic by identifying the impact of the epidemic on their work, their personal life and the difficulties they had experienced.

Our understanding of the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 is growing on a daily basis and there is evidence that increased age, cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac comorbidity are strongly associated with poor outcomes. Furthermore, myocardial injury occurs and is associated with a much worse outcome and rapid increase in mortality. There have been several reports of myocarditis and heart failure following infection. The mechanisms of myocardial injury and its consequences are not well understood. In an ongoing peer-reviewed and funded study, the investigators are evaluating the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to characterise and to understand the mechanisms of heart failure and myocarditis. Following strong encouragement by the British Heart Foundation, the investigators now propose to extend this investigation to patients who have recovered from COVID-19 infection to understand the mechanisms of myocardial injury that they have experienced. Using gadolinium and manganese-enhanced MRI combined with Computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA), the investigators will assess the mechanisms and direct impact of myocardial injury in patients who have recovered from COVID-19 infection. This will help the investigators understand how best to manage individuals who demonstrate evidence of myocardial injury and potentially provide insights that could lead to novel treatment interventions to reduce such injury and improve patient outcomes.

This study will assess the efficacy of AZD7442 for the post-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in Adults.

This study will assess the safety and efficacy of a single dose of AZD7442(× 2 IM injections) compared to placebo for the prevention of COVID-19.

The 2019 coronavirus-induced infection (COVID-19) has caused a pandemic that has spread worldwide. Up to date, many subjects affected by the virus report important sequelae on different organs increasing morbidity and exacerbating previous pathological conditions. Mortality is also increased in cases of comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes. COVID-19 infection is caused by Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Concerning the specific interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with the cardiovascular system, we know that this virus enters the body through the receptors for the conversion of angiotensin II (ACE2r) that are present in the lungs, heart, intestinal epithelium and vascular endothelium. This receptor's availability suggests a multi-organ involvement with a consequent multi-organ dysfunction, as found in patients affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, poor vascular peripheral function -usually correlated with old age and long periods of bed rest or hypomobility- is a distinguishing characteristic of the population affected by COVID-19, as well. Thus, it is reasonable to expect that peripheral vascular function, already deteriorated by aging and common age-related diseases, can be further compromised by COVID-19 and by the forced hypomobility, typically experienced during the acute phase of the disease. The main aim of this project will be to investigate the peripheral NO-mediated vascular function in the leg of patients recovering from Covid-19 pneumonia. A significant vascular dysfunction is expected to be found in post COVID individuals and to be correlated to the relevant clinical variables.

The investigators are conducting a pilot trial where they will study safety, efficacy and compliance in a cohort of ambulatory patients in the Ghent region with confirmed COVID-19 infection, in both an early stage of disease, defined as less than 5 days of symptoms and who at presentation do not meet any criteria for hospitalisation as well as asymptomatic individuals with a PCR CT value below 30. The primary endpoint is to assess the efficacy of the drug in terms of change from day 0 to day 5 in respiratory (oropharyngeal swab RT-PCR) log10 viral load. The aim of the study is to assess whether Camostat, a serine protease inhibitor available in an oral formulation has the potential to be studied as an antiviral drug in a large scale ambulatory setting to prevent transmission by decreasing viral load, to prevent symptoms after exposure (PEP) in asymptomatic individuals or to prevent disease progression in the occurrence of early symptomatology.

It is expected that large numbers of healthcare workers will experience a broad range of psychological reactions and symptoms including anxiety, depression, moral distress, and trauma symptoms that will cause both significant suffering as well as occupational and social impairment. The purpose of this study is to find interventions which are helpful in treating psychological distress in healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients. There are two phases of the study. All participants will take part in Phase I, which consists of 4 sessions over a two-week period of either a narrative writing intervention or a medical music intervention. Participants will be randomly assigned to the narrative writing intervention or medical music intervention. After Phase I, participants will be re-assessed. Healthcare workers who meet criteria for PTSD will be given the option to participate in Phase II of the study, in which they will be offered a choice between one of two evidence-based treatments for PTSD: Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) or Exposure Therapy (ET). Both treatments are comprised of ten 75-minute sessions scheduled twice weekly. Participants will be allowed to choose a preferred treatment in Phase II. After Phase II participants will complete a final assessment concluding the study. All interventions will be offered using distance technology.