AzTrials
AzTrials

Covid19NCT04490200

Effectiveness of a Novel Respirator With Chitosan Nanoparticles

A study testing VESTA respirator and Conventional N95 respirator in people with Covid19 and SARS-CoV Infection, run by University of Brasilia at 1 site in Brazil.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

The use of nanomaterials in semi-facial respirators could decrease the permeability of particles and promote a biocidal effect compared to conventional respirators (N95) and, therefore, to enhance the filtering power, aiming to mitigate harmful effects of bacteria and viruses. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 20 to 59 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
VESTA respirator and Conventional N95 respirator
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
300 participants
Where
1 siteBrazil
Study dates
1 Mar 2021to 28 Jun 2023
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 20 to 59 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Full-time employees (defined as direct patient care for more than 24 hours weekly) and work primarily at the study site or co-participants (more than 75% of working hours).
  • Professionals working in emergency departments, ICUs, and other hospital settings exposed to SARS-Cov-2.
  • Negative clinical and laboratory results for SARS-Cov-2 infection (negative RT-PCR).
  • Have previous experience using N95 PFF2 respirators.

Who cannot join

  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
  • History of high-risk comorbidities, such as high-risk heart disease or respiratory diseases.
  • Presence of heterogeneous facial anatomical characteristics such as bulky beard, facial deformities, or facial dimensions incompatible with the respirators.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Brazil1 site
  • HRAN (Hospital Regional da Asa Norte)

    Brasília

Other trials in Brazil

About this study

Official title: Effectiveness of a Novel Respirator With Chitosan Nanoparticles to Reduce the Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Healthcare Professionals: Randomized Controlled Trial (VESTA Trial)

The use of nanomaterials in semi-facial respirators could decrease the permeability of particles and promote a biocidal effect compared to conventional respirators (N95) and, therefore, to enhance the filtering power, aiming to mitigate harmful effects of bacteria and viruses. Chitosan is a natural cationic polymer derived from chitin, with characteristics such as being biodegradable, biocompatible, non-toxic, and presenting antimicrobial activity. This polymer has virucidal activity in several types of viruses, including other coronaviruses, given the attractive factor of its cationic charge for negative charges. The effectiveness of a novel individual protection semi-facial respirator (called VESTA) will be investigated, compared to a conventional N95 respirator. The respirators will be tested in healthcare professionals working in hospital environments and the effectiveness will be attributed to the lower incidence rate of infection by the SARS-CoV-2, and to the ability to filter these viruses after use by healthcare professionals exposed to potentially contaminated environments. The study will be carried out in two stages: i) Randomized Controlled Trial with reduced sample to confirm the sample size calculation (pilot trial), and ii) Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). The RCT will be conducted with healthcare professionals who have contact with environments/patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 in hospital sectors with greater vulnerability to infection (urgency, emergency and intensive care units). The RCT will be conducted initially with a group of sixty participants (n = 30 in each group) for initial investigation of the potential for efficacy with the use of the respirators (VESTA and conventional N95) in two sectors (emergency and ICU) in a reference Hospital for COVID-19. The RCT will consist of two parallel groups: (1) Experimental Group (GExp) that will use the novel respirator (VESTA) and (2) Control Group (CG) that will use the standard respirator (N95). Participants will be recruited from participating hospitals and will be accompanied by 21 days in approximately eight consecutive shifts (ranging from shifts lasting 6 to 12 hours each, followed by approximately 36 hours of rest). Participants will be assessed at baseline (T0), at the end of the 10th day (T1), and at the end of the 21st day (T2).

Read the detailed description

Context for the latest register update (May, 2022): Our randomized controlled pilot trial was conducted from February until April 2021, following the same methodological procedures described within the clinical trial register. After analyzing the data from the pilot trial we included some updates within the clinical trial register. Summary of changes after the pilot trial: 1) We performed a new sample size calculation, which resulted in a sample size of 700 participants (n=350 in each group). This information was updated within the trial register; 2) We removed the secondary outcome "Ability of the filtering element to inactivate the SARS-Cov-2". The team decided that this outcome would be more appropriately assessed in a controlled laboratory study, and not associated with the clinical trial. Thus, this outcome will be investigated in a secondary study; 3) We decided to include the clinical assessments (Job stress, Quality of life, Musculoskeletal discomfort, Burnout, and Work ability) exclusively as baseline measurements.

Being tested
VESTA respirator, Conventional N95 respirator
Keywords
Protective personal equipment, SARS-Cov-2, Chitosan, Occupational health, Prevention
Medical subject headings
COVID-19, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • VESTA respiratorDevice

    The protocol will be composed by the use of the VESTA respirator for 21 days (approximately 8 consecutive shifts lasting 6 to 12 hours, followed by approximately 36 hours of rest). Each participant will receive a total of approximately 8 respirators, with instructions for a maximum usage time of 6 hours. Therefore, participants will receive 1 respirator to be used in each shift of 6 hours, and 2 respirators in shifts of 12 hours. All participants will receive a booklet with guidelines and training in the use and proper handling of the respirator. All respirators will be sterilized and packaged in the laboratory, to ensure that they are not contaminated before use by the participants. The intervention will not change the participants' routine, considering that they already follow instructions for the use of protective personal equipment (PPE) and the proposed intervention will follow all local regulations and guidelines for the use and conservation of PPE and semi facial respirators.

  • Conventional N95 respiratorDevice

    The protocol will be composed by the use of the N95 respirator for 21 days (approximately 8 consecutive shifts lasting 6 to 12 hours, followed by approximately 36 hours of rest). Each participant will receive a total of approximately 8 respirators, with instructions for a maximum usage time of 6 hours. Therefore, participants will receive 1 respirator to be used in each shift of 6 hours, and 2 respirators in shifts of 12 hours. All participants will receive a booklet with guidelines and training in the use and proper handling of the respirator. All respirators will be sterilized and packaged in the laboratory, to ensure that they are not contaminated before use by the participants. The intervention will not change the participants' routine, considering that they already follow instructions for the use of protective personal equipment (PPE) and the proposed intervention will follow all local regulations and guidelines for the use and conservation of PPE and semi facial respirators.

Study groups in NCT04490200
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Novel chitosan semi facial respirator (VESTA)ExperimentalVESTA is a semi facial respirator that follows the same technical specifications of a N95 class PFF2 respirator. However, the VESTA respirator has nanoparticles in the filtering element, which is manufactured with a product of 50 gsm melt blown polypropylene-treated with an electrostatic charge. This filtering element deposits nanoparticles of polymeric biodegradable material known as chitosan. Chitosan can act as a surface for adsorption and viral inactivation.
Receives: Device: VESTA respirator
Conventional N95 semi facial respiratorActive comparatorThe N95 PFF2 respirators are manufactured from TNT as defined in ABNT NBR 15052: 2004 and in the resolution of ANVISA RDC No. 356. The filtering element is usually formed by a layer of thin polypropylene fibers arranged at random. This configuration influences the particles (which constitute aerosols) to move along an extensive and tortuous path in relation to their size; thus, increasing the probability of them coming into contact with the fibers and being retained. A number of mechanisms influence the interception of particles by the fibers of the filter element. In addition to the mechanical interception mechanisms, the presence of charges on the surface of the filter material can enhance the association of particles with its fibers and optimize the efficiency of the respirator.
Receives: Device: Conventional N95 respirator

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Incidence of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19

    Number of professionals infected, confirmed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)

    Measured: 21 days (Assessments at T1 - day 10, and T2 - day 21)

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Usability and comfort of the respirator

    11-point Likert scale ranging from -5 ("extremely unsatisfied"), 0 ("neutral"), to 5 ("completely satisfied")

    Measured: Assessments at T1 (day 10) and T2 (day 21)

  2. Adherence to the use of the Respirator

    quantified based on the activities and procedures performed by the participants. Adherence will be measured by a self-report recorded in a diary, estimating the percentage of use referring to the total workhours.

    Measured: Assessments at T1 (day 10) and T2 (day 21)

  3. Incidence of acute respiratory illness

    Self-reported signs and symptoms of respiratory illness, defined as the presence of at least 1 sign or 2 symptoms (presented to the participants as a list of possible signs and symptoms), and also confirmed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

    Measured: Change from Pre-Intervention (T0), compared to T1 (day 10), and T2 (day 21)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted29 Jul 2020
  2. Study start1 Mar 2021
  3. Primary completion30 Apr 2023
  4. Study completion28 Jun 2023

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
This is a randomized controlled clinical trial, characterized by the application of semi facial respirators, in which participants will be randomly and concealed allocated into two groups: VESTA respirator (GExp) and Conventional N95 respirator (CG). The participants will be healthcare professionals working in hospital environments contaminated by SARS-Cov-2. The study will be reported following the recommendations of the CONSORT Statement.
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
300 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04490200
Sponsor's protocol ID
VESTA Trial
Other IDs
32862320.0.0000.0030
Status last verified
Jun 2023
First submitted
19 Jul 2020
Last updated
3 Jul 2023
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Kubota AMA, Rosa MFF, Baraldi S, Vale JAM, da Silva JDAG, Carneiro MLB, Padula RS, Haddad R, Joanitti GA, da Silva Luz GV, Fook MVL, Zimmermann IR, Rosa SSRF, Peixoto HM, Luiz Carregaro R. Efficacy and feasibility of a novel semi-facial respirator with chitosan nanoparticles on the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare professionals: randomized controlled trial. BMC Infect Dis. 2024 Sep 27;24(1):1061. doi: 10.1186/s12879-024-09966-x.

    PubMed 39333902

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing VESTA respirator and Conventional N95 respirator in people with Covid19 and SARS-CoV Infection, run by University of Brasilia at 1 site in Brazil.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Jul 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Brazil. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Incidence of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 (time frame: 21 days (Assessments at T1 - day 10, and T2 - day 21)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04490200, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 3 Jul 2023.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in