Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Encephalitics is a serious condition in which the brain becomes inflamed (swollen). It usually happens as a direct result of virus, such as herpes simplex virus (HSV). It affects around 1 in every 250500,000 people in the UK each year and is classed as a “very rare” disease. Its impact is disproportionately large however, with 1 in 10 people dying and survivors being left with serious side effects such as amnesia (memory loss) which puts stain on patients, carers and the health services. HSV encephalitis is often treated with the drug acyclovir (an antiviral drug which slows the growth and spread of HSV in the body). Despite this however, around 2 out of every 3 people will have memory difficulties long term. Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid medication, which works by preventing the release of natural chemicals in the body which cause inflammation. It is possible that dexamethasone could help to reduce in swelling of the brain may improve the recovery of patients with HSV encephalitis. The aim of this study is to find out whether treatment with dexamethasone can improve long-term health outcomes in adults with HSV Encephalitis.
Who can participate?
Adults with confirmed HSV encephalitis across UK hospitals.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in the first group are given dexamethasone 10mg through a drip every six hours for four days. Those in the second group do not receive treatment with dexamethasone and continue with usual care alone. Participants in both groups are treated with aciclovir antiviral treatment (10mg/kg aciclovir 8 hourly for at least 14 days). After 26 and 28 weeks, participants in both groups are followed up in order to evaluate the long-term mental health effects, such as memory and cognition (thinking and mental processing) and health effects following their HSV encephalitis.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Not provided at time of registration
Where is the study run from?
The Walton Centre, Liverpool (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2015 to September 2021
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Mrs Kelly Davis
dexenceph@liverpool.ac.uk
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Public
Primary contact
Mrs Kelly Davies
ORCID ID
Contact details
Clinical Trials Research Centre
University of Liverpool
Institute of Child Health
Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Liverpool
L19 3RB
United Kingdom
+44 151 794 9767
dexenceph@liverpool.ac.uk
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
19837
Study information
Scientific title
DexEnceph: A pragmatic, randomised, controlled, observer-blind trial comparing clinical outcomes in adults who receive Dexamethasone alongside standard treatment versus standard treatment alone for herpes simplex virus Encephalitis
Acronym
DexEnceph
Study hypothesis
The aim of this study is to evaluate whether dexamethasone improves neuropsychological outcomes in sufferers of HSV encephalitis without allowing uncontrolled viral replication. It will also address whether corticosteroids improve imaging, functional and quality of life outcomes as well as provide a better understanding of the disease mechanisms in HSV encephalitis.
Ethics approval
NRES Committee North West - Liverpool Central, 10/08/2015, ref: 15/NW/0545
Study design
Observer-blind open-label prospective randomised controlled trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Hospitals
Trial type
Treatment
Patient information sheet
Condition
Herpes Simplex Virus encephalitis
Intervention
Participants are randomised to one of two groups.
Intervention group: Participants receive dexamethasone 10mg intravenously 6 hourly for 4 days.
Control group: Participants receive standard care and no dexamethasone.
Participants in both groups receviev aciclovir antiviral treatment: as part of standard care: 10mg/kg aciclovir 8 hourly (or at a reduced dose if clinically indicated) for at least 14 days. Continuation of aciclovir is guided by follow-up CSF examination as per national guidelines on the management of HSV encephalitis.
All patients are followed up with Neuropsychology testing, MRI scanning, functional and disability outcome scoring, blood testing and health status and quality of life assessments.
Intervention type
Drug
Phase
Phase III
Drug names
Dexamethasone
Primary outcome measure
Verbal memory score, as determined by the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS-IV) Auditory Memory Index at 26 weeks after randomisation.
Secondary outcome measures
1. Neuropsychological outcome measures (measured at 26 weeks and 78 weeks):
1.1. Visual Memory Index, Immediate Memory Index, and Delayed Memory Index - assessed by the Wechsler Memory Scale version IV (WMS-IV)
1.2. Processing speed and Working Memory - assessed by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale version IV (WAIS-IV)
1.3. Language -assessed by the confrontational naming task of the Language Module in the Neuropsychology Assessment Battery (NAB)
1.4. Higher executive function -assessed by Trail Making Test Parts A and B
1.5. Anxiety and depression -assessed by self-completed Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory
1.6. Participant’s subjective cognitive complaints- assessed by the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire
2. Cognitive outcomes are measured using the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Assessment (ACE-III) at 30 days/discharge, 26 weeks and 78 weeks)
3. Clinical Outcomes (measured at 30 days, 26 weeks, 78 weeks):
3.1. Incidence of epilepsy
3.2. Time to hospital discharge
3.3. Requirement of HDU/ITU admission up to 30 days post randomisation
3.4. Time to reach 14 days without ventilatory support [if any]
3.5. Time to reach maximum recorded GCS
3.6. Survival
4. Disability & Functional Outcomes are measured at 30 days/discharge, 26 weeks and 78 weeks using the Glasgow Outcome Score Extended (GOS-E), Liverpool Outcome Score (LOS), Barthel Index and the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS)
5. Imaging Outcomes (measured at baseline, 2 weeks, 26 weeks and 78 weeks):
5.1. Temporal lobe volume (as % of intra-cranial volume)
5.2. Whole brain volume (as % of intra-cranial volume)
5.3. Volume of affected region as seen on FLAIR image (as % of intra-cranial volume)
5.4. Volume of affected region as seen on diffusion-weighted image (as % of intra-cranial volume)
6. Biomarker outcomes:
6.1. Transcriptomic and proteomic profiling on CSF at baseline and 2 weeks; on blood at baseline, 2 weeks, and 26 weeks
6.2. Anti NMDA receptor antibody testing at 26 weeks
7. Safety Outcomes
7.1. Proportion of patients with detectable HSV in CSF by PCR at 2 weeks
7.2. White blood cell function at baseline and 26 weeks
8. Health Status and Quality of Life, as measured by the EuroQOL-5D-5L and SF-36 self-completed questionnaires at 26 and 78 weeks
Overall trial start date
01/01/2015
Overall trial end date
30/09/2021
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
Enrolled patients must fulfil ALL of the following criteria:
1. Suspected encephalitis criteria: New onset seizure OR, new focal neurological signs OR alteration in consciousness, cognition, personality, or behaviour*
2. A positive HSV PCR result from CSF, reported not more than 7 days prior to randomisation
3. Receiving intravenous aciclovir dosed at 10mg/kg TDS or at a reduced dose if clinically indicated
4. Age ≥ 16 years
5. Written informed consent has been given by the patient or their legal representative
* Personality / behaviour change includes: agitation, psychosis, somnolence, insomnia, catatonia, mood lability, altered sleep pattern.
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
90 RCT and 90 Non-HSV cohort
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Having received oral or injectable corticosteroid therapy in the 30 days prior to the day of admission to hospital**
2. History of hypersensitivity to corticosteroids
3. Immunosuppression secondary to:
3.1. Known HIV infection AND CD4 count under 200cell/mm3
3.2. Currently taking biologic therapy or other immunosuppressive agents [azathioprine, methotrexate, ciclosporin]
3.3. Previous solid organ transplant and currently on immunosuppression
3.4. Previous bone marrow transplant
3.5. Currently undergoing a course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy
3.6. Known primary immunodeficiency syndrome
3.7. Known current haematological malignancy
4. Pre-existing indwelling ventricular devices
5. Peptic ulcer disease in the last 6 months: defined as a peptic ulcer seen at endoscopy or an upper gastrointestinal bleed causing ≥ 2 unit haemoglobin drop in the last 6 months
6. Antiretroviral regime containing rilpivirine as current treatment
**Participants are not excluded if steroids are administered after admission prior to randomisation.
Recruitment start date
01/04/2016
Recruitment end date
31/07/2020
Locations
Countries of recruitment
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
The Walton Centre
Lower Lane
Liverpool
L9 7LJ
Sponsor information
Organisation
University Of Liverpool
Sponsor details
Research Support Office
2nd floor Block D waterhouse Building
3 Brownlow Street
Liverpool
L69 3GL
United Kingdom
+44 1517 948739
sponsor@liverpool.ac.uk
Sponsor type
University/education
Website
Funders
Funder type
Government
Funder name
Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme
Alternative name(s)
NIHR Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme, EME
Funding Body Type
government organisation
Funding Body Subtype
National government
Location
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Not provided at time of registration
Intention to publish date
30/09/2022
Participant level data
To be made available at a later date
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list