This study evaluates the efficacy of three experimental antibiotics in the treatment of uncomplicated anogenital gonorrhoea. Participants will be randomized to one of four study arms and will receive either one of the three experimental antibiotics (ertapenem, fosfomycin and gentamicin) or the current standard antibiotic (ceftriaxone). Both the study team and the participant are blinded to the administered treatment. This enables the investigators to compare the eradication capacity and safety of the experimental antibiotics with the standard treatment. \*Following the advise of the DSMB based on a planned interim analysis, in October 2018 one study arm (fosfomycin 6g PO) was dropped and the randomized clinical trial was continued with three treatment arms (ceftriaxone 500mg IM, ertapenem 1000mg IM and gentamicin 5mg/kg IM) and without the oral placebo.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to extended spectrum cephalosporins (ESC) among Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) is a major public health concern. With no alternative antimicrobial treatment options for gonorrhoea and only a few new drugs in the development pipeline, it is important to test existing antibiotics for their efficacy in gonorrhoea treatment. This project aims to identify new treatment modalities for uncomplicated gonorrhoea using the registered drugs ertapenem, fosfomycin and gentamicin. This trial is a double blind randomized clinical non-inferiority trial with four treatment arms. 108 participants are randomly assigned to each study arm . Participants will receive either ceftriaxone 500mg intramuscularly (IM) or ertapenem 1000mg IM or gentamicin 5mg/kg IM with a maximum of 400mg (in two doses) supplemented with an oral placebo, or receive fosfomycin 6g oral suspension supplemented with an intramuscular placebo. The bacterial eradication capacity of the study antimicrobials at the included infection site is measured 7-14 days after treatment, using an RNA-based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT). \*Following the advise of the DSMB based on a planned interim analysis, in October 2018 one study arm (fosfomycin 6g PO) was dropped and the randomized clinical trial was continued with three treatment arms (ceftriaxone 500mg IM, ertapenem 1000mg IM and gentamicin 5mg/kg IM) and without the oral placebo.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
346
single dose 1000mg intramuscular injection
single dose 6g oral suspension
single dose 5mg/kg (maximum 400mg) intramuscular injection
single dose 500mg intramuscular injection
Public Health Service
Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
Proportion of participants with treatment success in each study arm for the included anatomic infection
Proportion of participants with treatment success in each study arm using a molecular test (Nucleic acid amplification test, NAAT). Treatment succes is defined as a negative test of cure (NAAT) 7-14 days after treatment.
Time frame: 7-14 days after treatment
Proportion of participants with treatment success in each study arm at all anatomical infection sites
Proportion of participants with treatment success in each study arm using a molecular test (Nucleic acid amplification test, NAAT). Treatment succes is defined as a negative test of cure (NAAT) 7-28 days after treatment.
Time frame: 7-28 days after treatment
Incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events
The incidence, type and severity of treatment-related adverse events as assessed by CTCAE v4.0 will be measured.
Time frame: until 30 days after treatment
Antimicrobial susceptibility of Ng-strains to study antibiotics
The in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility (in MIC) of the experimental and reference treatment will be measured in all Ng strains collected at all infected anatomical sites of each participant at inclusion and in case of a positive test of cure.
Time frame: Day 0 (before treatment) - 28 (after treatment)
Blood plasma concentration of ceftriaxone, ertapenem and gentamicin in a subset of 60 NABOGO participants
The blood plasma concentration will be measured 1 times within the first 24 hours after treatment administration. With these measurements the investigators will estimate the population pharmacokinetics of ceftriaxone, ertapenem and gentamicin.
Time frame: within 24 hours after treatment administration
Duration of symptoms after treatment
All participants are asked to report their symptoms daily in a diary, this will be evaluated at the follow-up visit (7-14 days after treatment) and at the online evaluation questionnaire (30 days after treatment). The mean duration of all symptoms after treatment will be measured for all study antibiotics.
Time frame: 1-30 days after treatment
Clinical and demographic predictors for treatment failure
The investigators will measure if demographic (e.g. gender, HIV status) and clinical factors (e.g. anatomical location, duration of symptoms before treatment) are associated with treatment failure (treatment failure is defined as any case in which the participant received escape medication).
Time frame: until 7-14 days after treatment
Blood plasma concentration of ceftriaxone, ertapenem and fosfomycin in 60 healthy volunteers
Healthy volunteers will be randomly assigned to one of the three antibiotics. After administration of the antibiotic, the blood plasma concentration will be measured 4 times within the first 24 hours. With these measurements the investigators will estimate the population pharmacokinetics of ceftriaxone, ertapenem and fosfomycin.
Time frame: 24 hours
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