Anti-wolbachial therapy with doxycycline to ameliorate filaricele pathology

ISRCTN ISRCTN87920740
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN87920740
Secondary identifying numbers 1/81306 extension
Submission date
31/05/2010
Registration date
08/07/2010
Last edited
08/07/2010
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Infections and Infestations
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Prof Achim Hoerauf
Scientific

Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology
University Clinic Bonn
Sigmund Freud Str.25
Bonn
53105
Germany

Phone +49 (0)228 287 15675
Email hoerauf@microbiology-bonn.de

Study information

Study designRandomised double blind placebo controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleAnti-wolbachial therapy with doxycycline to ameliorate filaricele pathology: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Study objectives1. To assess the possibility of using the combination of doxycycline treatment and ultrasound-guided aspiration of hydrocele fluid to replace or supplement the current hydrocelectomy strategy.
2. To explore the possibility to differentiate between hydrocele and chylocele by ultrasonography (USG).
Ethics approval(s)Ethical clearances have been obtained from the Committee on Human Research Publication and Ethics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana (approved April 29th, 2010) and from the Ethical Committee, University Clinic Bonn, Faculty of Medicine, Bonn, Germany (approved March 8th, 2010).
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedLymphatic filariasis (Wuchereria bancrofti)
InterventionThe participants will be randomised and assigned to one of two treatment regimens:
1. 6 weeks doxycycline (2 x 100 mg/day) (n = 33)
2. 6 weeks placebo matching doxycycline (2 capsules/day) (n = 33)

Volunteers for this study are recruited based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and treated directly in their villages (Ahanta West district, Ghana). The study-drugs will be distributed ad personam by the research staff and drug intake monitored on a daily basis for 6 weeks.
All participants will undergo ultrasound-guided aspiration 4 months after treatment onset. Two experienced MD’s (urologist and ultrasonographer) will perform the aspiration together under aseptic conditions in a hospital. To avoid traumata during aspiration (lesions of the testis or intra-scrotal vessels) a disposable needle guide will be affixed to the ultrasound transducer by a clamp. This device will help the urologist to aid in positioning the needle to impede that the needle/drainage tube gets too close to the testis and scrotal vessels and therefore prevents unwanted bleeding or lesions of the tunica vaginalis parietalis and visceralis and the testis. Skin disinfectant and sterile ultrasound gel will be used to prevent infection due to exogenous bacteria. The total amount of fluid surrounding the testis will be obtained. 24 hours after aspiration participants will be visited and scanned again for safety reasons to make sure that no bleeding or infection occurred. In case of any aspiration related problem, the responsible urologist and MD will care for the patient until resolution. The patient will receive appropriate treatment, i.e. analgesic drugs, antibiotics, if necessary.
The total duration of follow-up for both arms of our trial is 12 months after the start of drug administration.

Contact details for Joint Principal Investigators:
Prof Dr Ohene Adjei
Chief Executive Officer
Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH)
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
Kumasi, Ghana
Tel: + 233 51 60351
Fax: + 233 51 62017
E-mail: oadjei@africaonline.com, oadjei@kathhsp.org

Dr Alexander Yaw Debrah
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and Kumasi Centre of Collaborative Research (KCCR)
University Post Office
Kumasi, Ghana
Tel: + 233 51 60351
Fax: + 233 51 62017
E-mail: yadebrah@yahoo.com
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureImprovement of filaricele size (stage) between study onset (pre-treatment) and 8 months after aspiration (12 months after study onset). Improvement is defined as pre-treatment stage of hydrocele minus one stage (minimum) 8 months after aspiration. Hydrocele stage is determined according to Debrah et al.,2007.
Secondary outcome measures1. Improvement of filaricele size (stage) between study onset (pre-treatment) and pre-aspiration (time point 4 months after doxycycline/placebo treatment) as well as 3 months after aspiration (7 months after study onset)
2. Improvement of filaricele size (stage) between pre-aspiration (4 months after study onset) and 3 and 8 months after aspiration (7 and 12 months after study onset)
3. Curative effect of the combined drug and aspiration treatment, measured at 3 and 8 months after aspiration (i.e. 7 and 12 months after drug treatment onset). A curative effect is defined as no fluid accumulation (no relapse after aspiration)
4. Reduction of supra-testicular lymphatic vessel dilation between pre-treatment and pre-aspiration as well as 3 and 8 months after aspiration (7 and 12 months after start of treatment)
5. Proof or rejection that improvement of hydrocele stage correlates with increase of immunosuppressive markers e.g. TGF, IL-10, lower levels of inflammatory cytokines e.g. IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, INFγ, TNF and decrease of angiogenic parameters, e.g. VEGFs, measured in blood samples pre-treatment, pre-aspiration as well as 3 and 8 months after aspiration (7 and 12 months after start of treatment)
6. Proof or rejection that improvement of hydrocele stage correlates with increase of immunosuppressive markers e.g. TGF, IL-10, lower levels of inflammatory cytokines e.g. IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, INFγ, TNF and decrease of angiogenic parameters, e.g. VEGFs, measured in hydrocele fluid obtained during aspiration. Clinical findings at 3 and 8 months after aspiration will be assessed and correlated with results of the aspirated fluid
7. Proof or rejection that USG is able to differentiate chylocele (EDH) from hydrocele (EFH) based on correlation of biochemical markers such as chylomicrons, lipoproteins, cytokines, with ultrasonographical findings
Overall study start date01/05/2010
Completion date31/05/2012

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit55 Years
SexMale
Target number of participants66
Key inclusion criteria1. Men between 18-55 years old
2. Good general health, without any clinical condition requiring long-term medication and with normal renal and hepatic laboratory profiles
3. Body weight > 40 kg
4. Presence of hydrocele stage 2 or 3, detected by ultrasound (as described in Debrah et al., 2007)
5. Willingness to participate in the study as evidenced by signing of the informed consent document (written or thumb print)
6. Resident in the endemic area for 5 years or more
Key exclusion criteria1. Known intolerance to the study drug doxycycline
2. History of a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis
3. History of alcohol or drug abuse
4. Evidence of clinically significant neurological, cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, rheumatologic, metabolic or renal disease as far as it can be assessed by history of participants, physical examination, and/or laboratory examinations including blood and urine analyses
5. Laboratory evidence of liver disease (alanine aminotransferase [ALT], gamma-glutamyl transferase [gamma-GT] greater than 1.25 times the upper limit of normal results given by the dipstick test manufacturer, Roche)
6. Laboratory evidence of renal disease (serum creatinine greater than 1.25 times the upper limit of normal results given by the dipstick test manufacturer, Roche)
7. Laboratory evidence of diabetes (urine dipstick chemistry)
8.Behavioural, cognitive, or psychiatric disease that, in the opinion of the trial clinician, affects the ability of the participant to understand and comply with the study
9. Severe asthma or respiratory disease (evidenced by a past emergency room visit or hospitalization)
10. Participation in other drug trials concurrent with this study
11. Any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator (trial clinician), would risk the safety or rights of a participant in the trial or would render the subject unable to comply with the protocol
Date of first enrolment01/05/2010
Date of final enrolment31/05/2012

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Germany
  • Ghana

Study participating centre

Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology
Bonn
53105
Germany

Sponsor information

Volkswagen Foundation (VolkswagenStiftung) (Germany)
Charity

c/o Dr. Detlev Hanne
Division of Natural and Engineering Sciences, Medicine
Kastanienallee 35
Hannover
30519
Germany

Phone +49 (0)511 8381 0
Email info@volkswagenstiftung.de
Website http://www.volkswagenstiftung.de
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/03bsmfz84

Funders

Funder type

Charity

Volkswagen Foundation (VolkswagenStiftung) (Germany) (ref: 1/81 306 extension)
Private sector organisation / Trusts, charities, foundations (both public and private)
Alternative name(s)
VolkswagenStiftung
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