Investigation of the mechanisms of persistent SARS-CoV-2 associated olfactory dysfunction(OD) in patients with well-documented olfactory function. The investigators plan tocollect olfactory cleft biopsies and cytobrushes in COVID-19 patients and controls.
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.
Procedure: Biopsy and Cytobrush
Collection of olfactory cleft biopsies and cytobrushes
Inclusion Criteria:
- Olfactory Dysfunction group: Presence of evident OD (Parosmia,
Threshold-Discrimination-Identification (TDI)-score ≤24, Subjective abnormal
quantitative olfactory function; measured by a visual analogue score (VAS) of smell
impairment ≥5/10
- Control group: No OD (TDI-score >30.5.)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Presence of concomitant nasal mucosal pathology that might affect olfactory function
or bias the study investigations
- Use of anticoagulation therapy
- Allergy to local anesthetics
UZ/KU Leuven
Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium
AZ Sint-Jan Brugge
Brugge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc
Brussels, Belgium
Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics
Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany
University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus
Dresden, Germany
Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève
Genève, Switzerland
University of Zurich and University Hospital Zurich
Zürich, Switzerland
Laura van Gerven
+3216336342
laura.vangerven@uzleuven.be
Sabrina Bischoff
+41763655671
sabrina.bischoff@uzleuven.be
Laura van Gerven, Principal Investigator
UZ/KU Leuven