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Malnutrition SeverePhase 3FLACSAMNCT03174236

First Line Antimicrobials in Children With Complicated Severe Acute Malnutrition

A Phase 3 study testing Ceftriaxone, Benzyl penicillin and Metronidazole in people with Malnutrition Severe and Antibiotic Resistance, run by University of Oxford at 8 sites in 2 countries.

Unknown status

Status not confirmed. The sponsor has not verified this record for over two years, so it may be out of date.

Official record
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Trial summary

Children with severe malnutrition who are admitted sick to hospitals have a high mortality(death rate), usually because of infection. All children with severe malnutrition admitted to hospitals are treated with antibiotics(medication used to kill bacteria). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 2 months to 13 years
What is being tested?
Ceftriaxone, Benzyl penicillin and Metronidazole
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
2,000 participants
Where
8 sitesin 2 countries
Study dates
4 Sep 2017to 31 Dec 2020
Phase
Phase 3
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 2 months to 13 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • Age 2 months to 13 years inclusive
  • Severe malnutrition defined as:
  • kwashiorkor at any age or:
  • for children between 2 to 5 months: MUAC <11cm or weight-for length Z score <-3
  • for children between 6 to 59 months: MUAC <11.5cm or weight-for length Z score <-3
  • for children between 5 to 13 years: MUAC <11.5cm or BMI-for-age Z score <-3
Show all 9Show fewer
  • Admitted to hospital and eligible for intravenous antibiotics according to WHO guidelines
  • Planning to remain within the hospital catchment area and willing to come for specified visits during the 90 day follow up period
  • Informed consent provided by the parents/guardian

Who cannot join

  • Known allergy or contraindication to penicillin, gentamicin, ceftriaxone or metronidazole
  • A specific and documented clinical indication for another class of antibiotic
  • Previously enrolled in this study

Trial locations and contacts

8 sites in 2 countries.

8 sites in 2 countries

Kenya7 sites
  • Kemri Wellcome Trust Research Programme

    Kilifi, Coast Province, 80108

  • Kilifi County Hospital

    Kilifi, Coast, 80108

  • KEMRI WT Clinical Trials Facility

    Kilifi, 80800

  • Kilifi County Hospital

    Kilifi

  • Coast General Hospital - Study site

    Mombasa

  • Mbagathi District Hospital

    Nairobi

  • Mbagathi Hospital

    Nairobi

Other trials in Kenya

Uganda1 site
  • Mbale Regional Referral Hospital

    Mbale

Other trials in Uganda

About this study

Children with severe malnutrition who are admitted sick to hospitals have a high mortality(death rate), usually because of infection. All children with severe malnutrition admitted to hospitals are treated with antibiotics(medication used to kill bacteria). However, the current antibiotics used in hospitals may not be the most effective. It is possible that the antibiotics that are currently used after initial antibiotics should be used first. No studies have been carried out to determine if the current antibiotics used for treating malnourished children who are sick and admitted in hospital are the most appropriate. The aim of this study is to find out if a changed antibiotic system for children with malnutrition is safe, reduces the risk of death and improves nutritional recovery.

Read the detailed description

Children with complicated severe acute malnutrition (SAM) admitted to hospital in sub-Saharan Africa have a case fatality(death rate) between 12% and more than 20%. Because children with SAM may not exhibit the usual signs of infection, WHO guidelines recommend routine antibiotics(medication used to kill bacteria). However, this is based on "low quality evidence". There is evidence that because of bacterial resistance to the currently recommended first-line antibiotics (gentamicin plus ampicillin or penicillin) could be less effective than potential alternatives. Some hospitals in Africa are already increasing use of ceftriaxone as a first-line treatment. However, this is not based on any data that ceftriaxone actually improves outcomes. Of concern is that ceftriaxone use may also lead to increased antimicrobial resistance, including inducing extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and other classes of resistance.

A further area where evidence for policy is lacking is the use of metronidazole in severely malnourished children. The WHO guidelines recommend "Metronidazole 7.5 mg/kg every 8 h for 7 days may be given in addition to broad-spectrum antibiotics; however, the efficacy of this treatment has not been established in clinical trials." Metronidazole is effective against anaerobic bacteria, small bowel bacterial overgrowth, Clostridium difficile colitis and also Giardia, which is common amongst children with SAM. Small cohort studies of metronidazole usage suggest there may be benefits for nutritional recovery in malnourished children. However, metronidazole can cause nausea and anorexia, potentially impairing recovery from malnutrition and may also rarely cause liver and neurological toxicity.

This multi-centre clinical trial will assess the efficacy of two interventions, ceftriaxone and metronidazole, on mortality and nutritional recovery in sick, severely malnourished children in a 2x2 factorial design. There will also be an analysis of antimicrobial resistance and an economic analysis. To extend our understanding of metronidazole and ceftriaxone pharmacokinetics, additional pharmacokinetic data for the dosing schedule used in the trial will be collected from 120 participants in a sub-study. The trial will be conducted at Kilifi County Hospital, Coast General Hospital, Mbagathi Hospital in Kenya and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital in Uganda. The trial will assess antimicrobial resistance that is carried by children in their intestines and in invasive bacterial isolates. A further sub-study will examine the relative costs of care for SAM for health facilities and for families, including antimicrobial usage will also be assessed. Clear data on the benefits, risks and costs of these antimicrobials will influence policy on case management and antimicrobial stewardship in this vulnerable population.

Being tested
Ceftriaxone, Benzyl penicillin, Metronidazole, Placebo, Gentamicin

What participants receive

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

  • CeftriaxoneDrug

    Ceftriaxone a third-generation cephalosporin. Ceftriaxone is active against a broad spectrum of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria.

  • Benzyl penicillinDrug

    The currently recommended first-line antibiotics for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition are gentamicin plus ampicillin or penicillin.

  • MetronidazoleDrug

    The WHO guidelines recommend that Metronidazole may be given in addition to broad-spectrum antibiotics, "however, the efficacy of this treatment has not been established in clinical trials."

  • PlaceboOther

    Suspension manufactured to match metronidazole

  • GentamicinDrug

    The currently recommended first-line antibiotics for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition are gentamicin plus ampicillin or penicillin.

Study groups in NCT03174236
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
CeftriaxoneExperimentalArm 1 IV Ceftriaxone: Participants in this group receive 80mg/kg IV ceftriaxone once a day for a minimum of 48 hours and a usual maximum of seven days.
Receives: Drug: Ceftriaxone
Benzyl penicillin plus gentamicinActive comparatorArm 2 IV Benzyl penicillin plus gentamicin (usual care): Participants in this group receive 50 000 U/kg IV benzyl penicillin every six hours for a minimum of two days and a maximum of seven days.
Receives: Drug: Benzyl penicillin; Drug: Gentamicin
MetronidazoleExperimentalArm 1 Metronidazole: Participants receive 10 to 16 mg/kg oral metronidazole twice a day for seven days.
Receives: Drug: Metronidazole
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorArm 2 Placebo: Participants receive an oral placebo dose to match that for Metronidazole twice a day for seven days.
Receives: Other: Placebo

What is being measured

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

  1. Mortality

    Mortality is measured using source documents from medical records, verbal autopsy, or death or burial certificates in the community.

    Measured: 90 days after enrolment.

Secondary outcomes (13)
  1. Mortality during the first 7 days

    Mortality during the first 7 days

    Measured: 7 days

  2. Mortality during the first 30 days

    Mortality during the first 30 days

    Measured: 7 days

  3. Index admission inpatient mortality

    Mortality during the index hospitalisation, measured using inpatient records.

    Measured: Through index hospital admission, an average of 7 days.

  4. Mortality after discharge from index admission.

    Mortality occurring after discharge from the index hospital admission is measured using inpatient medical records, verbal autopsy, or death or burial certificates in the community.

    Measured: 90 days after enrolment

  5. Grade 4 toxicity

    Grade 4 toxicity events are measured according to the Division of AIDS Tables for Grading the Severity of Adverse Events using medical records.

    Measured: Up to 7 days following enrolment

  6. Serious adverse events

    Serious adverse events are measured using inpatient and outpatient medical records.

    Measured: 90 days after enrolment.

  7. Tolerability - relevant side effects during the first 7 day

    Vomiting, diarrhoea, NG tube in place and convulsions during the first 7 days

    Measured: 7 days

  8. Causes of death.

    Causes of death, as determined by an endpoint review committee.

    Measured: 90 days after enrolment

  9. Re-admission to hospital.

    Re-admission to hospital defined as at least one overnight stay in a hospital or health facility are measured using inpatient records.

    Measured: From discharge from hospital to 90 days after enrolment

  10. Duration of hospitalisation.

    Total duration of hospitalisation is measured in days using inpatient records at the start and end of each admission to hospital.

    Measured: 90 days after enrolment.

  11. Duration of administration of antibiotics.

    Duration of administration of intravenous antibiotics measured using inpatient records.

    Measured: 90 days after enrolment.

  12. Change in nutritional status

    Change in nutritional status is measured using mid-upper arm circumference, weight-for-length, weight-for-age and length-for-age compared to at enrollment.

    Measured: 90 days after enrolment.

  13. Faecal carriage of bacteria expressing Extended Spectrum Lactamase (ESBL)

    Faecal carriage of bacteria expressing Extended Spectrum Lactamase (ESBL) is measured using microbial culture and sensitivity testing of rectal swabs.

    Measured: Through study completion an average of 90 days.

Timeline

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

  1. First posted2 Jun 2017
  2. Study start4 Sep 2017
  3. Primary completion31 Jan 2020
  4. Study completion31 Dec 2020 (estimated)

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 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Factorial
Model description
The trial will investigate two separate antimicrobial interventions in a 2x2 factorial design randomised controlled clinical trial. A factorial design allows more than one intervention to be tested and is useful in assessing a potential package of care. Two randomisations will be made. The two interventions will be analysed separately. Ceftriaxone and metronidazole is an effective and commonly used antibiotic combination, hence major interactions that interfere with efficacy are considered unlikely. However, evidence for interaction between the two interventions will be tested.
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
2,000 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03174236
Sponsor's protocol ID
KEMRI/SERU/CGMR-C/063/3399
Other IDs
1-17, 105431/Z/14/Z
Acronym
FLACSAM
Status last verified
May 2020
First submitted
15 May 2017
Last updated
19 May 2020
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Data sharing will be considered by applying to the Data Governance Committee at CGMR,C Kilifi who will manage the process and ensure that appropriate ethical approval is in place and consent has been obtained for uses outside those given in this protocol:DGC@kemri-wellcome.org. Explanation of this eventuality will be included in the participant information and consent form. We intend to share anonymised data with the CHAIN network cohort study (KEMRI/SERU/CGMR-C /054/3318, OxTREC 34-16) which consists of institutions doing studies in malnourished children in Africa and South Asia; to upload anonymised bacterial and resistance sequences on recognised international repositories; and share anonymised bacterial sequence data relating to bacterial resistance with groups working an antimicrobial resistance in Africa and elsewhere.

Publications

  • Black RE, Victora CG, Walker SP, Bhutta ZA, Christian P, de Onis M, Ezzati M, Grantham-McGregor S, Katz J, Martorell R, Uauy R; Maternal and Child Nutrition Study Group. Maternal and child undernutrition and overweight in low-income and middle-income countries. Lancet. 2013 Aug 3;382(9890):427-451. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60937-X. Epub 2013 Jun 6.

    PubMed 23746772
  • Acquah SE, Quaye L, Sagoe K, Ziem JB, Bromberger PI, Amponsem AA. Susceptibility of bacterial etiological agents to commonly-used antimicrobial agents in children with sepsis at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. BMC Infect Dis. 2013 Feb 18;13:89. doi: 10.1186/1471-2334-13-89.

    PubMed 23419199
  • Talbert A, Thuo N, Karisa J, Chesaro C, Ohuma E, Ignas J, Berkley JA, Toromo C, Atkinson S, Maitland K. Diarrhoea complicating severe acute malnutrition in Kenyan children: a prospective descriptive study of risk factors and outcome. PLoS One. 2012;7(6):e38321. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0038321. Epub 2012 Jun 4.

    PubMed 22675542
  • Heikens GT, Bunn J, Amadi B, Manary M, Chhagan M, Berkley JA, Rollins N, Kelly P, Adamczick C, Maitland K, Tomkins A; Blantyre Working Group. Case management of HIV-infected severely malnourished children: challenges in the area of highest prevalence. Lancet. 2008 Apr 12;371(9620):1305-7. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(08)60565-6. No abstract available.

    PubMed 18406865
  • Chimhuya S, Kambarami RA, Mujuru H. The levels of malnutrition and risk factors for mortality at Harare Central Hospital-Zimbabwe: an observation study. Cent Afr J Med. 2007 May-Aug;53(5-8):30-4. doi: 10.4314/cajm.v53i5-8.62612.

    PubMed 20355679
  • Fergusson P, Tomkins A. HIV prevalence and mortality among children undergoing treatment for severe acute malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2009 Jun;103(6):541-8. doi: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2008.10.029. Epub 2008 Dec 5.

    PubMed 19058824
  • Moisi JC, Gatakaa H, Berkley JA, Maitland K, Mturi N, Newton CR, Njuguna P, Nokes J, Ojal J, Bauni E, Tsofa B, Peshu N, Marsh K, Williams TN, Scott JA. Excess child mortality after discharge from hospital in Kilifi, Kenya: a retrospective cohort analysis. Bull World Health Organ. 2011 Oct 1;89(10):725-32, 732A. doi: 10.2471/BLT.11.089235. Epub 2011 Jul 13.

    PubMed 22084510
  • Berkley JA, Lowe BS, Mwangi I, Williams T, Bauni E, Mwarumba S, Ngetsa C, Slack MP, Njenga S, Hart CA, Maitland K, English M, Marsh K, Scott JA. Bacteremia among children admitted to a rural hospital in Kenya. N Engl J Med. 2005 Jan 6;352(1):39-47. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa040275.

    PubMed 15635111
  • Trehan I, Goldbach HS, LaGrone LN, Meuli GJ, Wang RJ, Maleta KM, Manary MJ. Antibiotics as part of the management of severe acute malnutrition. N Engl J Med. 2013 Jan 31;368(5):425-35. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1202851.

    PubMed 23363496
  • Babirekere-Iriso E, Musoke P, Kekitiinwa A. Bacteraemia in severely malnourished children in an HIV-endemic setting. Ann Trop Paediatr. 2006 Dec;26(4):319-28. doi: 10.1179/146532806X152845.

    PubMed 17132297
  • Blomberg B, Manji KP, Urassa WK, Tamim BS, Mwakagile DS, Jureen R, Msangi V, Tellevik MG, Holberg-Petersen M, Harthug S, Maselle SY, Langeland N. Antimicrobial resistance predicts death in Tanzanian children with bloodstream infections: a prospective cohort study. BMC Infect Dis. 2007 May 22;7:43. doi: 10.1186/1471-2334-7-43.

    PubMed 17519011
  • Aiken AM, Mturi N, Njuguna P, Mohammed S, Berkley JA, Mwangi I, Mwarumba S, Kitsao BS, Lowe BS, Morpeth SC, Hall AJ, Khandawalla I, Scott JAG; Kilifi Bacteraemia Surveillance Group. Risk and causes of paediatric hospital-acquired bacteraemia in Kilifi District Hospital, Kenya: a prospective cohort study. Lancet. 2011 Dec 10;378(9808):2021-2027. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61622-X. Epub 2011 Nov 29.

    PubMed 22133536
  • Woerther PL, Angebault C, Jacquier H, Hugede HC, Janssens AC, Sayadi S, El Mniai A, Armand-Lefevre L, Ruppe E, Barbier F, Raskine L, Page AL, de Rekeneire N, Andremont A. Massive increase, spread, and exchange of extended spectrum beta-lactamase-encoding genes among intestinal Enterobacteriaceae in hospitalized children with severe acute malnutrition in Niger. Clin Infect Dis. 2011 Oct;53(7):677-85. doi: 10.1093/cid/cir522.

    PubMed 21890771
  • Paterson DL. "Collateral damage" from cephalosporin or quinolone antibiotic therapy. Clin Infect Dis. 2004 May 15;38 Suppl 4:S341-5. doi: 10.1086/382690.

    PubMed 15127367
  • Jones KD, Hunten-Kirsch B, Laving AM, Munyi CW, Ngari M, Mikusa J, Mulongo MM, Odera D, Nassir HS, Timbwa M, Owino M, Fegan G, Murch SH, Sullivan PB, Warner JO, Berkley JA. Mesalazine in the initial management of severely acutely malnourished children with environmental enteric dysfunction: a pilot randomized controlled trial. BMC Med. 2014 Aug 14;12:133. doi: 10.1186/s12916-014-0133-2.

    PubMed 25189855

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 3 study testing Ceftriaxone, Benzyl penicillin and Metronidazole in people with Malnutrition Severe and Antibiotic Resistance, run by University of Oxford at 8 sites in 2 countries.

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 9 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: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 May 2020. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 8 sites in Kenya, Uganda. 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. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Results are not available in the source record.

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?

Mortality (time frame: 90 days after enrolment.). 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 NCT03174236, which also lists 25 linked publications.

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 19 May 2020.

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