Study of immediate versus deferred antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-associated tuberculous meningitis

ISRCTN ISRCTN63659091
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN63659091
ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00433719
Secondary identifying numbers 076224; OXTREC 023-04
Submission date
18/04/2005
Registration date
22/07/2005
Last edited
12/02/2019
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

Background and study aims
Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can lead to an increased risk of developing tuberculous meningitis (TBM), a condition where infection with bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis leads to life-threatening inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. HIV is treated with a life-long drug course called antiretroviral therapy (ART), which can be highly toxic. If a patient is found to have HIV when they are diagnosed with TBM there are concerns that beginning ART immediately could be bad for patients because they are taking a lot of drugs at the same time. Beginning HIV treatment too late, however, can cause the patient to die from other infections because their ability to fight infections is too weak. This study examines when to begin ART in patients with TBM who are also found to have HIV .

Who can participate?
Patients had to be over 15 years old, HIV-positive and diagnosed with TBM.

What does the study involve?
The patients were randomly assigned into two groups. In addition to their treatment for TBM, one group received ART within 72 hours of study entry (immediate ART) and the other group received ART two months after study entry (deferred ART). The patients were then monitored daily in the hospital for general health, fever, coma and other negative health events. At the end of three months, the patients were discharged and followed up monthly as part of the national tuberculosis program. A final follow-up visit took place at 12 months from study entry.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The patient will not have to pay for anything other than the normal costs of routine inpatient care. All medication and tests related to the study will be paid for. Having a blood test or a lumbar puncture done can be uncomfortable and may cause a bruise. Common side effects of the drug include orange discolouration of body fluids, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and headache. While in hospital, the patient will be closely monitored by the study doctor. After the patient leaves hospital, they will be followed up in the clinic every month.

Where is the study run from?
The study was run by researchers at the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Vietnam, in partnership with the Hospital for Tropical Diseases and the Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study ran from April 2005 to December 2008.

Who is funding the study?
The Wellcome Trust (UK).

Who is the main contact?
Clinical Trials Unit at the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Vietnam
Tel: +84 839 241 983

Contact information

Dr Estee Torok
Scientific

Oxford University Clinical Research Unit
Hospital for Tropical Diseases
190 Ben Ham Tu
Ho Chi Minh City
District 5
Viet Nam

Study information

Study designRandomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Other
Study typeTreatment
Scientific titleStudy of immediate versus deferred antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-associated tuberculous meningitis
Study acronymDK Study
Study objectivesHuman Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is associated with an increased risk of Tuberculosis (TB); in particular Tuberculous Meningitis (TBM). There are limited data describing the influence of HIV infection on the clinical presentation, response to treatment, frequency of adverse events, outcome or the impact of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) in HIV-associated TBM. The optimal time to initiate ART is unknown. There are concerns that immediate ART may worsen rather than improve outcome, because of the development of an Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS) or combined drug toxicities. Conversely, delaying ART may result in increased HIV-related deaths. We therefore propose to conduct a clinical trial of immediate versus deferred ART in HIV-infected patients presenting with TBM, to assess effect on survival.

As of 13/02/2007 the anticipated end date of this trial was shortened to 20/09/2008.
Ethics approval(s)Oxford Tropical Research Ethics Committee (OxTREC), 07/02/2005, ref: OxTREC 023-04
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedHIV-associated tuberculous meningitis
InterventionRandomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial with two parallel arms: immediate Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) and deferred HAART (two months). Patients will also receive standard treatment (anti-tuberculous chemotherapy and adjunctive dexamethasone) for tuberculous meningitis.
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhaseNot Applicable
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART)
Primary outcome measureMortality at 9 months
Secondary outcome measures1. Mortality at 12 months
2. Fever clearance time
3. Coma clearance time
4. Neurological relapse
5. Progression to new or recurrent Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) defining illness
6. Any grade three or four adverse event
7. CD4 count response
8. Plasma HIV-1 RiboNucleic Acid (RNA) response
9. Neurological disability: neurological disability will be assessed using the 'simple questions' and Rankin score
Overall study start date01/04/2005
Completion date01/12/2008

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
SexBoth
Target number of participants222
Key inclusion criteria1. Patients aged 15 or over
2. HIV seropositive
3. Anti-retroviral naive
4. Presenting with tuberculous meningitis
Key exclusion criteria1. Positive Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Gram or India ink stain
2. Known or suspected pregnancy
3. Anti-tuberculous treatment eight to 30 days immediately prior to recruitment
4. Previous antiretroviral therapy
5. Laboratory contraindications to anti-retroviral or anti-tuberculous therapy
6. Lack of consent
Date of first enrolment01/04/2005
Date of final enrolment20/09/2007

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Viet Nam

Study participating centre

Oxford University Clinical Research Unit
Ho Chi Minh City
District 5
Viet Nam

Sponsor information

University of Oxford (UK)
University/education

University Offices
Wellington Square
Oxford
OX1 2JD
England
United Kingdom

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/052gg0110

Funders

Funder type

Charity

Wellcome Trust
Private sector organisation / International organizations
Location
United Kingdom

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?
Results article results 01/06/2011 Yes No

Editorial Notes

12/02/2019: Publication reference added.