Covid-19 crisis showed us that rapid massive virus detection campaign is a key element in SARS-CoV-2 pandemic response. The classical RT-PCR laboratory platforms must be complemented with rapid and simplified technologies to enhance efficiency of large testing strategies. To this aim, we developed EasyCoV, a direct saliva RT-LAMP based SARS-CoV-2 virus detection assay that do not requires any RNA extraction step. It allows robust and rapid response under safe and easy conditions for healthcare workers and patients. EasyCov test was assessed under double blind clinical conditions (93 asymptomatic healthcare worker volonteers, 10 actively infected patients, 20 former infected patients tested during late control visit). EasyCov results were compared with classical laboratory RT-PCR performed on nasopharyngeal samples. Our results show that compared with nasopharyngeal laboratory RT-PCR, EasyCov SARS-CoV-2 detection test has a sensitivity of 72.7%. Measured on healthcare worker population the specificity was 95.7%. LAMP technology on saliva is clearly able to identify subjects with infectivity profile. Among healthcare worker population Easycov test detected one presymptomatic subject. Because it is simple, rapid and painless for patients, EasyCov saliva SARS-Cov-2 detection test may be useful for large screening of general population.

No abstract

SummaryInconsistent results have been reported regarding IL-5 blockade treatment in asthma. There were no direct between-treatment comparisons. Only differences between each drug and placebo were studied. We identified all RCTs with anti-IL5 treatments for patients with asthma over the 1990-September 2015 period. RCTs were searched on Medline, Cochrane and Embase. At least 50 patients were enrolled in each study. Outcomes considered were exacerbation rate reduction, FEV 1 changes, ACQ-5 improvement, adverse events and serious adverse events. A global meta-analysis was first conducted followed by an indirect comparison of each IL-5-targeting drug: benralizumab, reslizumab and mepolizumab. Further eosinophilic subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were also conducted in case of heterogeneity. Ten trials involving 3421 patients were eligible for meta-analysis. IL-5 blockade significantly reduced annual exacerbation rates vs. placebo by 40% [29-50] (P < 0.01, I 2 = 0.61). ACQ-5 was significantly improved vs. placebo but below the recognized MCID level (À0.31 [À0.41, À0.21], P < 0.01, I 2 = 0.11). FEV 1 changes from baseline were improved vs. placebo by 0.09 L [0.05-0.12] (P < 0.01, I 2 = 0.28). The subgroup analysis identified a slight additional improvement in mean treatment effects in eosinophilic (> 300 mm 3 /L) patients with severe asthma. Similar patterns and rates of adverse events and severe adverse events were reported with the three drugs. The data interpretations were not affected by the sensitivity analysis. IL-5 blockade appears to be a relevant treatment strategy to improve severe asthma management, particularly for eosinophilic patients. No clear superiority appeared between the drugs when appropriate doses were compared.