Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
COVID-19 is a condition caused by the coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2) that was first identified in late 2019. This virus can infect the respiratory (breathing) system. Some people do not have symptoms but can carry the virus and pass it on to others. People who have developed the condition may develop a fever and/or a continuous cough among other symptoms. This can develop into pneumonia. Pneumonia is a chest infection where the small air pockets of the lungs, called alveoli, fill with liquid and make it more difficult to breathe.
In 2020, the virus has spread to many countries around the world and neither a vaccine against the virus or specific treatment for COVID-19 has yet been developed. As of March 2020, it is advised that people minimize travel and social contact, and regularly wash their hands to reduce the spread of the virus.
Groups who are at a higher risk from infection with the virus, and therefore of developing COVID-19, include people aged over 70 years, people who have long-term health conditions (such as asthma or diabetes), people who have a weakened immune system and people who are pregnant. People in these groups, and people who might come into contact with them, can reduce this risk by following the up-to-date advice to reduce the spread of the virus.
Some over-the-counter mouthwash solutions have been shown to kill bacteria and viruses in laboratory studies. This study aims to test this effect in people with COVID-19.
Who can participate?
Patients aged 18 and older who have tested positive for COVID-19
What does the study involve?
Participants will be randomly allocated to receive a strong mouthwash solution, to be used 3 times a day for 2 weeks, or treatment as usual.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Possible benefits include faster recovery and fewer secondary bacterial infections in the upper respiratory tract. Possible risks include mouth irritation, especially if there are mouth ulcers or sensitivity to the components, as well as digestive system irritation if hydrogen peroxide is ingested in quantities larger than the total daily recommended dose.
Where is the study run from?
1. Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital (Qatar)
2. Communicable Disease Center - Hamad Medical Corporation (Qatar)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2020 to November 2020
Who is funding the study?
Hamad Medical Corporation (Qatar)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Khalid Mukhtar
kmukhter@hamad.qa
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Dr Khalid Mukhtar
ORCID ID
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9261-731X
Contact details
Medical Research Center
Hamad Medical City
Doha Industrial Area (west)
Doha
-
Qatar
+974 (0)77446394
kmukhter@hamad.qa
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
Nil known
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Nil known
Protocol/serial number
MRC 05-106
Study information
Scientific title
Effect of regular use of hydrogen peroxide and chlorhexidine gluconate mixed solution for mouth wash and gargles on the COVID-19 recovery rate: a randomized controlled trial
Acronym
Study hypothesis
The development and progression of the disease following exposure to SARS-CoV-2 is affected by the microbial communities in the oral cavity; proposing a "complicit agent" hypothesis, either a single microbial agent effect (presence of complicit or absence of a protective) or the state of dysbiosis in general. Meanwhile, game theory and evolutionary biology suggests that inhibiting cooperation - reciprocal altruism - between two organisms can negatively affect their survival. The researchers propose that regular use of potent mouthwash can improve the disease course, as the strain of the continual reduction in the microbial load is likely to inhibit their cooperation.
Ethics approval
Approved 20/08/2020, Hamad Medical Corporations' Medical Research Center IRB (Medical Research Center, Hamad Medical City, Doha, Qatar; +974 (0)5554 6316; IRB@hamad.qa), ref: MRC 05-106
Study design
Interventional randomized parallel trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised parallel trial
Trial setting
Hospitals
Trial type
Treatment
Patient information sheet
No participant information sheet available
Condition
COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 infection)
Intervention
New admissions (24 hrs) will be screened for eligibility. Recruited subjects will be randomly allocated to either the study or control group.
Study group: Potent disinfectant solution (10 ml Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2% + 5 ml of hydrogen peroxide 6%) will be provided three times daily for 2 weeks, to be used for mouth rinse and gargles (>30 sec) and to avoid eating or drinking for at least 5 more minutes
Control group: treatment as usual
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
1. Recovery assessed using clinical improvement along with a negative COVID RT-PCR test at 5 and 15 days of starting treatment
2. Changes in the CT-values of COVID-19 RT-PCR inconclusive test at 5 and 15 days of starting treatment
Secondary outcome measures
1. Clinical symptoms assessed using the Sore Throat Assessment Tool for the first 5 days
2. COVID progression (ICU intubation vs discharge or transfer to quarantine) recorded by reviewing medical records within the study duration
3. Hospital stay measured using (days) at discharge; or at the end of study for those remained admitted
4. Disposition type (discharged/death) measured using hospital records entries at the time of discharge, or reported mortality during hospital stay
Overall trial start date
30/04/2020
Overall trial end date
20/11/2020
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Age 18 years and older
2. COVID-19 reported via positive PCR within 2 weeks of admission
3. Conscious, oriented and can comprehend the study purpose and risks
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
100
Total final enrolment
100
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Pregnancy (females)
2. Intubated (at the time of recruitment) or had any reported cognitive impairment that can prevent proper comprehension of the study or communicating side effects
3. Contra-indication for mouth wash use, e.g. reported allergies to the solution constituents, recent facial/head injuries, maxillofacial conditions
Recruitment start date
08/09/2020
Recruitment end date
01/10/2020
Locations
Countries of recruitment
Qatar
Trial participating centre
Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital
Hamad Medical Corporation
Doha Industrial Area (west)
Doha
-
Qatar
Trial participating centre
Communicable Disease Center - Hamad Medical Corporation
Hamad Medical City
Doha
-
Qatar
Sponsor information
Organisation
Hamad Medical Corporation
Sponsor details
Medical Research Center
Hamad Medical City
Doha
-
Qatar
+974 (0)40256410
irb@hamad.qa
Sponsor type
Industry
Website
Funders
Funder type
Industry
Funder name
Hamad Medical Corporation
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Planned publication in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal.
IPD sharing statement
The data sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date.
Intention to publish date
30/11/2020
Participant level data
To be made available at a later date
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list