This study is a prospective, observational multicentric study. The study population entails adult patients hospitalized with a high clinical suspicion of COVID-19 and consists of two study arms (SARS-CoV2- vs. SARS-CoV2+).This combined fundamental research project has a dual goal: on the one hand assessing immunological predisposing factors for severe infection and investigating the immunological impact of SARS-CoV2 infection, on the other hand studying viral characteristics. Furthermore, a substudy will examine the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of hydroxychloroquine in patients receiving this antiviral treatment (REVIVE susbstudy). To answer these research questions, samples will be collected from patients with a high clinical suspicion of COVID-19, hospitalized at UZ Gent and 2 participating hospitals in Ghent (AZ Maria Middelares en AZ Jan Palfijn).
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
109
8x9mL EDTA tubes. In subjects treated with hydroxychloroquine treatment an extra EDTA tube (4mL) will be collected for the REVIVE substudy.
Only in case of diagnostic or therapeutic indication.
Nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal and nasal swabs
AZ Jan Palfijn
Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium
AZ Maria Middelares
Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium
UZ Gent
Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Identification of cytokines and chemokines associated with COVID-19 severity and outcome.
Cytokine and chemokine analysis (U-plex Mesoscale Diagnostics) on the plasma and BAL fluid will be correlated to disease severity and outcome
Time frame: 6 months
Identification of cellular subsets that can predict COVID-19 severity and outcome.
By using high-dimensional flow cytometry on cryopreserved PBMCs, the investigators will assess whether the phenotype and intracellular signaling can predict COVID-19 severity and disease outcome.
Time frame: 6 months
SARS CoV-2 sequencing.
Whole genome sequencing and viral metagenomics analysis will be performed on selected nasopharyngeal swabs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.
Time frame: 6 months
Single-cell RNA sequencing of BAL fluid and matched PBMC samples.
Single -cell RNA sequencing will be performed on fresh BAL fluid and matched PBMCs by using 10X Genomics technology. The aim of the project is to study the transcriptional activity in different immune cells in the lung in COVID-19 patients with differing disease severity and compare these to non-COVID-19 respiratory infections.
Time frame: 6 months
Measurement of plasma hydroxychloroquine and N-desethylhydroxychloroquine (REVIVE).
In this pilot substudy (REVIVE study), the investigators aim to measure plasma hydroxychloroquine, measuring range 10-2250 ng/mL, and the active metabolite, plasma N-desethylhydroxychloroquine, measuring range 2-2250 ng/m, in patients treated with hydroxychloroquine.
Time frame: 6 months
Analysis of micronutrients Cu, Fe and Zn in plasma samples from COVID-19 + and COVID-19 - patients.
Total serum or plasma concentrations (mg/L) of Cu, Fe and Zn will be measured using a benchtop TXRF spectrometer (S4 T-STAR, Bruker Nano GmbH, Berlin, Germany) by prof. Gijs Du Laing and the laboratory of Prof. Lutz Schomburg.
Time frame: 12 months
Analysis of micronutrient Se in plasma samples from COVID-19 + and COVID-19 - patients.
Total serum or plasma concentrations (µg/L) of Se will be measured using a benchtop TXRF spectrometer (S4 T-STAR, Bruker Nano GmbH, Berlin, Germany) by prof. Gijs Du Laing and the laboratory of Prof. Lutz Schomburg.
Time frame: 12 months
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