BENTO

THE PROJECT

BQC19 ROLES

The Biobanque québécoise de la COVID-19 (BQC19) is a prospective, observational, case-control, multicenter cohort study involving ten sites in Quebec. All participating sites apply a unified management framework, a manual of procedures (MOP) and standard operating procedures (SOP) to guarantee the rigor and homogeneity of the study.

ADAPTABILITY TO THE EPIDEMIC

Initially focused on recruiting hospitalized participants with severe forms of COVID-19, BQC19 expanded its target population from May 2020 to also include asymptomatic patients or those with mild forms. This flexibility made it possible to recruit participants through all the pandemic waves observed in Quebec.

MISSION

BQC19 aims to contribute to research into the clinical and molecular determinants of susceptibility, severity and consequences of COVID-19.

DATA COLLECTION AND SAMPLES

During each visit, comprehensive clinical data are systematically collected, along with biological samples as required. This approach guarantees a rich and diversified database of samples, essential for advances in medical research.

The Biobanque québécoise de la COVID-19 (BQC19) cohort includes participants with COVID-19 (cases), with moderate to severe forms (hospitalized) or asymptomatic/mild forms (ambulatory), as well as participants not infected with SARS-CoV-2 (controls). Classification of participants as cases or controls was based strictly on PCR test results for SARS-CoV-2.

A pediatric subpopulation is also included in the cohort, recruited according to the criteria of the “Biobank of samples and data for research into pediatric respiratory diseases” study directed by Dr. Sze Man Tse at CHU Sainte-Justine. This inclusion broadens the scope of the study to include the paediatric specificities of COVID-19.

THE COHORT

BQC19: a key cohort

Between April 2020 and February 2024, BQC19 recruited and conducted longitudinal follow-ups on over 6,200 participants, including 242 pediatric participants.

Asymptomatic

People who have contracted COVID-19 but have not developed any symptoms during the acute phase of the disease

Little symptomatic

People who have contracted COVID-19 with few symptoms during the acute phase of the disease

Moderate illness

Persons with COVID-19 who have been hospitalized without oxygen therapy or with oxygen therapy by mask or nasal cannula

Severe illness

Person with COVID-19 who was hospitalized with CPAP, BPAD or LNHD oxygen therapy

Critical illness

Person with COVID-19 who was hospitalized in intensive care, intubated with mechanical ventilation, with or without death

The Biobanque québécoise de la COVID-19 (BQC19) is recruiting four major populations for its studies

  • Mild or asymptomatic disease population: These participants, recruited from outpatient or post-COVID clinics, developed an asymptomatic or mild form of COVID-19. Some present with persistent symptoms linked to post-COVID conditions or long COVID
  • Severe disease population: Recruited in hospital settings, this population includes patients who required hospitalization in a COVID unit or intensive care. Collection follows procedures defined in the BQC19 manual.
  • Control population: This group includes participants who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 (negative PCR), whether hospitalized or not. Some participants showed symptoms similar to those of COVID-19.
  • Pediatric and obstetric population: Recruited primarily at CHU Sainte-Justine, this sub-population includes children and pregnant women. This cohort remains limited due to the pandemic’s impact on these groups.

Each population provides essential data and samples to better understand the clinical and biological trajectories of COVID-19.