NCT06482138

Dysfunction of Olfaction After COVID-19 Infection: Morphological and Histomolecular Investigation

Dysfunction of Olfaction After SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Morphological and Histomolecular Investigation of Olfactory Cleft Biopsies and Cytobrushes

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 240 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 70 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Investigation of the mechanisms of persistent SARS-CoV-2 associated olfactory dysfunction (OD) in patients with well-documented olfactory function. The investigators plan to collect olfactory cleft biopsies and cytobrushes in COVID-19 patients and controls.

Detailed description

An explorative prospective clinical study using human body materials of living post-COVID-19 patients with and without OD, to study the mechanisms of persisting olfactory dysfunction. Patients consult ENT specialist for medical purposes and undergo standard-of-care diagnostics and management. The collected tissues from the olfactory cleft mucosa will be analyzed using single cell RNA sequencing and RNAscope combined with immunohistochemistry.

Conditions

• Covid19
• Olfactory Dysfunction

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Biopsy and Cytobrush	Collection of olfactory cleft biopsies and cytobrushes

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-01-24
• Primary completion: 2026-12-31
• Completion: 2026-12-31
• First posted: 2024-07-01
• Last updated: 2025-03-12

Locations

7 sites across 3 countries: Belgium, Germany, Switzerland