This is a single-center open-label study to evaluate antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) for upper airway decolonization in patients presenting with SARS-CoV-2 positive antigen test with mild or no symptoms of COVID-19.
There is a wide variety of people who test positive for SARS-CoV-2. This is directly dependent upon their exposure to the virus, their age and any medical comorbidities that they may have. At this time, it is not possible to predict who will have an adequate immune response to avoid getting COVID-19. Since this remains unpredictable a universal approach to treating SARS-CoV-2 positive patients may be the optimal approach. The rational for this study design is that in a real world setting numerous patients across a wide variety of conditions will receive testing for SARS-CoV-2 for a variety of reasons. For those who test positive and are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms, the current standard of care is observation and quarantine. The incubation period can range from 2-14 days with a mean of 5-6 days. Depending upon an individual's original inoculum of virus, comorbidities and other factors they may progress to COVID-19. Preemptive treatment during this time frame may avoid or mitigate COVID-19 disease severity. In certain high-risk individuals attenuating the disease may avoid hospitalization or death, ICU admission and shorten hospital stays. The nasal disinfection process rapidly and lethally disrupts the microbial cell wall, leaving human tissue unharmed. The topically applied photosensitizer formulation selectively stains bacteria by binding with microbial cell wall components. The red light is absorbed by the photosensitizer molecules, causing electronic state transitions within the photosensitizer. The excited photosensitizer immediately transfers energy to surrounding molecular oxygen, thereby producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are responsible for the lethal cell wall disruption.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
100
The procedure is initiated by swabbing the Formulation Applicator, pre-saturated with photosensitizer formulation, inside the patient's nares. The operator then connects the Nasal Light Illuminator (NLI) to the Light Source and inserts the NLIs into the patient's nostrils. The Light Source is turned on, and a 4-minute illumination cycle provides two channels of diffused red light (one for each nostril) to activate the applied formulation. Illumination stops automatically upon completion of the 4-minute cycle. The process is then repeated using two new Formulation Applicators to ensure full disinfection coverage.
Patients who are SARS-CoV-2 positive whose PCR levels are followed but no active intervention will be done. Saline will be used in their nose and the light device will be inserted but not turned on. Patient will be wearing light protecting glasses.
Clinica Universidad de Navarra
Pamplona, Spain
SARS-CoV-2 viral titer reduction
Change from baseline PCR count with testing on days 3, 7 and 14
Time frame: Immediately following treatment and on days 3, 7, and 14.
General safety of nasal photodisinfection
Observation for any adverse events
Time frame: 14 days post treatment
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