German trial of Acyclovir and Corticosteroids in Herpes-simplex-virus-Encephalitis

ISRCTN ISRCTN45122933
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN45122933
EudraCT/CTIS number 2005-003201-81
Secondary identifying numbers GFVT01026904 (GACHE)
Submission date
23/08/2006
Registration date
05/09/2006
Last edited
17/09/2019
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Infections and Infestations
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Study website

Contact information

Prof Uta Meyding-Lamade
Scientific

Steinbacher Hohl 2-26
Frankfurt am Main
60488
Germany

Phone +49 (0)6976 0132 46
Email meyding-lamade.uta@khnw.de

Study information

Study designMulticentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group clinical trial.
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Scientific titleGerman trial of Acyclovir and Corticosteroids in Herpes-simplex-virus-Encephalitis
Study acronymGACHE
Study objectivesThe GACHE trial aims to evaluate the effect on morbidity and mortality of early adjuvant corticosteroids (dexamethasone) in the treatment of adult patients with Herpes-Simplex-Virus-Encephalitis (HSVE).
Ethics approval(s)Approval received from the Ethics Committee of the University of Heidelberg Medical Faculty on the 28th August 2006 (ref: AFmu-106/2006).
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedHerpes-Simplex-Virus-Encephalitis (HSVE)
InterventionTreatment with acyclovir and adjuvant dexamethasone, as compared to treatment with acyclovir and placebo in adults with herpes-encephalitis.
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhaseNot Specified
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Acyclovir and dexamethasone
Primary outcome measureBinary functional outcome after six months measured by the mRS, a seven-point-scale zero to six. A mRS-score of three to six will be seen as an unfavourable outcome.
Secondary outcome measures1. Mortality after six and 12 months
2. Functional outcome after six months measured by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and quality of life (EuroQol 5D)
3. Functional outcome after 12 months (mRS, GOS) and quality of life (EuroQol 5D)
4. Neuropsychological testing after six months, cranial Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings after six months
5. Seizures up to day of discharge or at the latest at day 30, and after six and 12 months
Overall study start date01/10/2006
Completion date31/07/2011

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants372 patients, potential sample size extension up to 450 patients
Total final enrolment41
Key inclusion criteria1. Proven herpes-encephalitis (positive Herpes Simplex Virus-Deoxyribonucleic Acid-Polymerase Chain Reaction [HSV-DNA-PCR])
2. Aged between 18 and 85
3. Focal neurological signs not longer than five days prior to admission
4. Informed consent

Added as of 05/04/2007:
5. Women of childbearing potential: negative pregnancy testing in urine
Key exclusion criteria1. History of hypersensitivity to corticosteroids
2. Systemic corticosteroid treatment within the last six months or at present time
3. Two fixed dilated pupils
4. Pre-event score modified Rankin Scale (mRS) more than two or Barthel Index less than 95
5. Pregnancy
6. Breast feeding women
7. Recent history of active tuberculosis or systemic fungal infection
8. Recent head trauma/neurosurgery/peptic ulcer disease
9. Life expectancy less than three years
10. Other serious illness that confound treatment assessment
11. Simultaneous participation in another clinical trial
12. Previous participation in another clinical trial in the last 30 days
13. Previous participation in this clinical trial

Added as of 05/04/2007:
14. Women of childbearing potential who are not using a highly effective birth control method
15. Acute viral infections other than HSVE (herpes zoster, poliomyelitis, chickenpox), Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg)-positive chronic active hepatitis, approximately eight weeks before to two weeks after prophylactic vaccination, lymphadenitis following Bacille Calmette Guérin (BCG) vaccination
Date of first enrolment01/10/2006
Date of final enrolment31/07/2011

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Austria
  • Germany
  • Netherlands

Study participating centre

Steinbacher Hohl 2-26
Frankfurt am Main
60488
Germany

Sponsor information

University Hospital of Heidelberg (Germany)
University/education

c/o Professor Werner Hacke
Department of Neurology
Im Neuenheimer Feld 400
Heidelberg
69120
Germany

Phone +49 (0)6221 56 8211
Email werner.hacke@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Website http://www.klinikum.uni-heidelberg.de/Neurologie-und-Poliklinik.600.0.html
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/013czdx64

Funders

Funder type

Government

German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft-und Raumfahrt e.V. [DLR]) (Germany)

No information available

Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium Fur Bildung und Forschung [BMBF]) (Germany) (ref: 01KG0504)
Government organisation / National government
Alternative name(s)
Federal Ministry of Education and Research, BMBF
Location
Germany

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Protocol article protocol 29/10/2008 17/09/2019 Yes No
Results article results 01/12/2019 17/09/2019 Yes No

Editorial Notes

17/09/2019: The following changes were made:
1. Publication reference and added.
2. EudraCT number added.
3. Total final enrolment added.