Worldwide coronavirus research seeks volunteers

The Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Research Institute team that is part of the “COVID Human Genetic Effort” is looking for volunteers to participate in the study. The project is led by researchers Jean-Laurent Casanova and Helen Sue and brings together immunologists from around the world. “We want to understand how and why some people are more susceptible than others to develop the severe form of the COVID-19,” explains the doctor and coordinator of the project in the Southern region of Brazil, Carolina Prando, who is part of the international board from the initiative.

To participate in the research, some conditions are necessary, such as:
– have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 requiring hospitalization; or
– live in the same residence as a person who was in a serious condition, sharing personal objects, and not having been contaminated or having presented the mild form of the disease.

The researchers withdraw four milligrams of blood from the volunteer. This sample undergoes a molecular exam called exoma, which sequences, at the same time, 22,000 genes present in the human genome, identifying changes that may be related to the worsening or resistance to the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

Doctor Carolina, who coordinates the project at the Research Institute, highlights that blood collection can be done at any time, even after hospitalization. “The volunteer does not need to have the symptoms of COVID-19 at the time of blood donation form research,” she explains. Those interested in participating in the research can contact the researcher’s team by email covidhpp@hpp.org.br.

This is one of the subjects of the 10th edition of Pequeno Príncipe News – Special edition COVID-19, that also presents a report about the warranty of the patient’s right to have a companion, even in cases of COVID-19. Going through hospitalization accompanied by a family member, thus preserving the affective bonds and emotional health of the child and adolescent, is a guaranteed right at Pequeno Príncipe even before it became law, with the promulgation of the Statute of the Child and Adolescent’s Rights (ECA), in 1990.

In the pandemic, however, health authorities understood that it would be safer to suspend monitoring during hospitalizations, thus reducing the risks of contamination by the companion himself, as well as by health professionals and other patients. “As an institution that has humanization as one of its guidelines, we decided to continue guaranteeing this right, even for patients confirmed with COVID-19. We reviewed our flows and protocols so that children can continue to be accompanied,” explains the technical director of the Hospital, Donizetti Dimer Giamberardino Filho.

COVID-19 Report
At last, the Pequeno Príncipe News presents a report about the patient care offered to boys and girls with suspected of COVID-19. Since March 4 until July 31, the Hospital investigated 380 patients with suspect of the disease and 56 cases have been confirmed. Of these, on July 31, 12 remained hospitalized, receiving all necessary care, 20 were in isolation at home, 22 were recovered and, unfortunately, two patients died.

Click here and read the full-length articles in the 10th edition of Pequeno Príncipe News – Special edition COVID-19.