COVID-19 Clinical Trials and Expanded Access

Recently, the world was shaken awake by a pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). In most nations drastic isolation measures were taken to minimize the further spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Being the first pandemic sparked by a Coronavirus, little was known on COVID-19 and its implications on general health. Our understanding on the virus and its potential effects on health is growing. In Belgium, the situation is stabilizing, and doctors and healthcare workers are slowly recommencing routine work and consultations. As also fertility treatments were abruptly interrupted, many patients are in need to resume their treatment. The limited evidence of SARS-CoV-2 on pregnancy seems to be rather satisfying1, but practically nothing is known about the possible impact of an active SARS-CoV-2 infection on female gametes. Viral transmission occurs predominantly through respiratory droplets, but transmission to gametes cannot be ruled out. Since the onset of the pandemic, knowledge about the molecular details of SARS-CoV-2 infection rapidly grew. Coronaviruses are enveloped RNA viruses. For a virus to deliver their genome into the host cell, attachment and entrance into that cell is a crucial step. The coronavirus surface protein spike (S) mediates entry into target cells by binding to a cellular receptor and subsequent fusing of the viral envelope with a host cell membrane. The SARS-CoV-2-S protein (SARS-S) utilizes angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a receptor for host cell entry. Host proteases such as transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) are then needed to cleave the viral S protein, allow-ing permanent fusion of the viral and host cell membranes2. Expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 has been shown in testicular, uterine and placental cells. Based on available transcriptomic data, co-expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 is also seen on oocyte level, but the possible impact on reproduction is unknown. The BSG (basigin or CD147), a receptor on host cells, was also identified as a possible route for viral invasion.

This is a prospective monocentric observational study with the aim of investigating the demographic and clinical factors related to the smell and taste disorders in patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - Coronavirus - 2 (Sars-Cov-2) infection.

The central hypothesis motivating this study is that remote patient monitoring (RPM) of infectious disease patients can efficiently facilitate self-isolation. Additionally, RPM can assist in more rapid identification of patients at risk, facilitate detection of patient deterioration, and enable early interventions, all of which play a vital role in resource utilization and outcomes.

Currently, no effective treatments are available for the COVID-19. Scientists and Researchers are working on many aspects of treatment options for the development of vaccination and medication to combat this life-threatening problem. Convalescent plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients contains antibodies against COVID-19 which may be beneficial to severely sick COVID-19 patients. Investigator have recently concluded a pilot phase II open-label RCT on the efficacy of convalescent plasma in severe COVID 19 patients in which encouraging results were seen. Investigator plan to further study the efficacy and safety of convalescent plasma in COVID-19 severely sick patients through an RCT. Investigator will collect up to 500 ml Convalescent Plasma from the COVID-19 recovered persons after 14 days of clinical recovery with two consecutive SARS CoV-2 negative tests by PCR at least 24 hours apart. This plasma will be tested and frozen and stored. On requisition it will be thawed and sent to the treating center. Two doses of 250 ml convalescent plasma each will be transfused on two consecutive days to patients who fit the eligibility criteria (Severely sick COVID-19 patients) and are randomized to the convalescent plasma group along with the standard of care and the other group will receive standard of care alone. Data will be collected to study the benefits and adverse events related to convalescent plasma transfusion.

The associated use of Ivermectin, aspirin, dexamethasone, and enoxaparin (in different combinations and doses) will reduce the impact of COVID infection 19, the need of admission to the intensive care unit, and mortality.

The purpose of the questionnaire is to find risk factors for the development of post-traumatic stress disease (PTSD) in health workers during COVID-19 pandemy.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. It was first isolated in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and then rapidly spread to the rest of the world posing a severe threat to global health. Many therapeutics have been investigated for the treatment of this disease with inconclusive outcomes. Protease inhibitors are one of the proposed agents, but their use is limited to their significant drug interactions and side effects. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety outcomes of Darunavir/Cobicistat versus Lopinavir /Ritonavir in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in Qatar.

coronavirus disease 2019 related pneumonia is causing acute respiratory failure and this is the most common reason for ICU admission. We have several different way for respiratory support. HFNC is one of the new technics for oxygen support. Our main purpose to observe the effect of HFNC on coronavirus disease 2019 patients' ICU stay and mortality.

Various guidelines for endotracheal intubation (insertion of breathing tube for mechanical ventilation) of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients recommend the use of videolaryngoscope (medical device used for intubation that has a camera to visualize the vocal cords between which the breathing tube will pass) over direct laryngoscope (conventionally-used medical device for intubation that depends on anesthetist's direct visualization of vocal cords). The reasons for this recommendation are to maximize the distance between the medical personnel and the patient's face during intubation to decrease the risk of viral particles transmission and to improve intubation success. For patients infected with COVID-19, Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) is recommended as an alternative to N95 masks during aerosol-generating procedures such as intubation because N95 masks may not fully protect medical personnel from viral transmission during intubation. There is no evidence to suggest that videolaryngoscope (VL) is superior to direct laryngoscope (DL) for intubation when PAPR is donned. The purpose of this study is to determine if McGrath VL is superior to DL for intubation when the anesthetist is wearing a PAPR. The investigators' hypothesis is that McGrath VL will decrease the time to intubation by 20 seconds and more compared to DL when PAPR is donned. The investigators also hope to learn if there is any difference in the difficulties encountered between the use of VL and DL.

18 month study, funded by ESRC COVID-19 research fund. The aim is to explore and support the rapid shift from face-to-face to remote (telephone and video) conversations in primary care. There are three components: a study of clinical interactions and decision making (micro); four locality-based organisational case studies of new models of care (meso); abd a a study of how digital innovation can support NHS infrastructure and vice versa (macro).