Adding Beta-lactam Antibiotics to Shorten Buruli Ulcer Disease Therapy in Benin
Principal Investigator: Dr. Roch Christian Johnson
Disease: Buruli ulcer
Research Description: Buruli ulcer (BU), a neglected tropical disease, is a chronic debilitating mycobacterial infection that frequently progresses to massive ulcerations when untreated. BU affects the skin, soft tissues and bones and can lead to long-term morbidity, stigma and disability. There are no primary preventive measures for BU, since the mode of transmission remains unknown. Therefore, earlier diagnosis and effective treatment options are crucial to patient outcomes and quality of life. Current treatment is lengthy, requiring 8 weeks of daily rifampicin and clarithromycin, wound care and sometimes tissue grafting and surgery. Wound healing can then take up to one year. Compliance with current treatment is challenging due to socioeconomic factors and may pose a financial burden to the patient and his/her household. This randomized, open-label, Phase II trial adds the beta-lactam antibiotics amoxicillin/clavulanate to the BU standard of care. If this combination therapy is successful, treatment times could be shortened by as much as 50% with an increase in adherence and a reduction in needed surgeries, thus not only improving care for BU patients but also potentially decreasing hospitalization-related expenses and other costs. In addition, results from this trial may provide insight on treatment shortening strategies for other mycobacterial infections such as tuberculosis or leprosy.
Funding Partners: Open Philanthropy
CWR Funding Role: Participating