MedPath

Parasitic Ulcer Treatment Trial Pilot

Phase 2
Active, not recruiting
Conditions
Acanthamoeba Keratitis
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT03484507
Lead Sponsor
University of California, San Francisco
Brief Summary

This is a study of optimal treatments for acanthamoeba keratitis. In the first part of the study, participants will be randomized to chlorhexidine monotherapy or chlorhexidine plus povidone iodine. After four weeks of therapy, participants will be re-randomized to early corticosteroids, later corticosteroids, or placebo.

Detailed Description

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare eye infection that is difficult to treat. The mainstay of therapy is a biguanide agent such as chlorhexidine, though recent studies have found povidone iodine to be effective for killing acanthamoeba organisms in vitro. Thus, we randomize participants to topical chlorhexidine 0.04% monotherapy (i.e., routine care) versus topical chlorhexidine 0.04% plus topical poviodine iodine 2.5%. The primary outcome is clearance of acanthamoeba from the ocular surface at 4 weeks.

The role of topical corticosteroids in acanthamoeba keratitis is controversial. Topical corticosteroids can promote growth of acanthamoeba, but may also reduce inflammation and vision-threatening complications of infection. Here, we randomize participants who have completed a course of anti-amoebic therapy to one of three groups: early prednisolone sodium phosphate 1% (started at 4 weeks), late prednisolone sodium phosphate 1% (started at 6 weeks) or placebo (started at 4 weeks). The primary outcome will be visual acuity at 6 months.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
49
Inclusion Criteria
  • Smear or culture positive for acanthamoeba
  • Age 13 years or greater

Trial 1

Exclusion Criteria
  • Interstitial or viral keratitis on history or examination
  • Corneal perforation
  • Therapeutic keratoplasty for acanthamoeba keratitis
  • Unwillingness or inability to follow-up (e.g., living too far from hospital)

Trial 2 Inclusion Criteria

  • Smear or culture positive for acanthamoeba, with 4 weeks of anti-amoebic treatment
  • Age 13 years or greater
  • Willing to participate in study

Trial 2 Exclusion Criteria

  • Interstitial or viral keratitis on history or examination
  • Fungus identified on culture and smear after 2 weeks of anti-amoebic treatment
  • Corneal perforation
  • Therapeutic keratoplasty for acanthamoeba keratitis
  • Unwillingness or inability to follow-up (e.g., living too far from hospital)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Early corticosteroidsPrednisolone Sodium PhosphateTopical prednisolone sodium phosophate 1% for weeks 4-11
Late corticosteroidsHydroxypropyl MethylcelluloseArtificial tears for weeks 4-5, then topical prednisolone sodium phosophate 1% for weeks 6-11
PlaceboHydroxypropyl MethylcelluloseArtificial tears for weeks 4-11
Late corticosteroidsPrednisolone Sodium PhosphateArtificial tears for weeks 4-5, then topical prednisolone sodium phosophate 1% for weeks 6-11
Chlorhexidine plus povidone iodineChlorhexidineTopical chlorhexidine 0.04% plus povidone iodine 2.5%
Chlorhexidine monotherapyChlorhexidineTopical chlorhexidine 0.04%
Chlorhexidine plus povidone iodinePovidone-IodineTopical chlorhexidine 0.04% plus povidone iodine 2.5%
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Trial 1: Microbial clearance4 weeks

Acanthamoeba culture

Trial 2: Best spectacle corrected visual acuity6 months
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Trial 1: Time to re-epithelialization4 weeks
Trial 1: Clinical cure4 weeks
Trial 1: Best spectacle corrected visual acuity4 weeks
Trial 2: Time to clinical cure6 months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Aravind Eye Hospital

🇮🇳

Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

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