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Efficacy & Safety of Fluoroquinolone-Based Brucellosis Regimens (BRUCE)
Sponsor: The First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University
Summary
Brucellosis is a globally distributed zoonosis with persistent clinical management challenges. The World Health Organization(WHO)-recommended doxycycline-rifampin (DOX-RIF) dual regimen may drive rifampin-associated antimicrobial resistance across all brucellosis-endemic regions. Patients with osteoarticular brucellosis require long-term intravenous ceftriaxone triple therapy, which is linked to poor treatment adherence due to repeated hospital visits and outpatient care demands. Fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin \[LVX\], moxifloxacin \[MXF\]) exert excellent anti-Brucella activity and superior bone-joint penetration, yet high-quality multicenter prospective data comparing rifampin-sparing LVX-DOX/MXF-DOX dual regimens against standard RIF-DOX remain rarely reported. Existing comparative studies are limited to small single-center retrospective cohorts or trials pairing rifampin with fluoroquinolones rather than rifampin-free dual oral therapy. This multicenter prospective parallel-cohort protocol includes Module I (non-inferiority design) : 200 patients with uncomplicated acute brucellosis receiving 6-week dual oral therapy; and Module II (non-inferiority design) : 150 patients with imaging-confirmed osteoarticular brucellosis receiving 12-week triple therapy. Clinical data of standardized clinical, laboratory, radiologic, and subsequent longitudinal follow-up data will be collected via centralized electronic data capture. Primary endpoints include clinical and microbiological cure rates at 6 weeks (Module I) and 12 weeks (Module II). Secondary endpoints measure 24-week post treatment recurrence, 24- and 48-week radiologic improvement for osteoarticular disease, and adverse events during treatment. Multivariate regression and Cox models will identify independent prognostic factors and construct a generalizable recurrence risk prediction model. This clinical trial fills a critical evidence gap for oral fluoroquinolone-based regimens, with findings intended to supply supplementary brucellosis treatment approach, reduce rifampin resistance pressure, and eliminate reliance on prolonged parenteral therapy for complicated brucellosis.
Official title: A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized, Open-Label, Parallel-Group Clinical Trial: Efficacy and Safety of Fluoroquinolone-Based Regimens for Uncomplicated and Osteoarticular Brucellosis (the BRUCE Study)
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
16 Years - 75 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
350
Start Date
2026-09-01
Completion Date
2027-12
Last Updated
2026-08-21
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Doxycycline + Rifampicin
Standard first-line dual oral regimen recommended by WHO for brucellosis. Eligible patients with uncomplicated brucellosis take oral doxycycline combined with rifampicin continuously for an 8-week course.
Doxycycline + Levofloxacin
Experimental dual oral regimen for uncomplicated brucellosis. Patients receive oral doxycycline combined with levofloxacin for a total of 8 weeks.
Doxycycline + Moxifloxacin
Experimental dual oral regimen for uncomplicated brucellosis. Patients receive oral doxycycline combined with moxifloxacin for a total of 8 weeks.
Doxycycline + Rifampicin + Ceftriaxone (intravenous therapy for 4 weeks)
Triple combined regimen for moderate-severe osteoarticular brucellosis. Patients take oral doxycycline and rifampicin continuously, plus 4 weeks of intravenous ceftriaxone infusion. The scheme targets complicated joint and bone lesions to strengthen antibacterial efficacy for severe cases.
Triple oral regimen (Doxycycline + Rifampicin + Levofloxacin)
Full-course oral triple regimen for brucellosis treatment. Patients continuously take oral doxycycline, rifampicin and levofloxacin for 8 weeks. This regimen boosts antibacterial potency against bone-joint brucellosis lesions and lowers rifampicin resistance risks compared with dual-drug schemes.
Triple oral regimen (Doxycycline + Rifampicin + Moxifloxacin)
Full-course oral triple regimen for brucellosis therapy. Patients take oral doxycycline, rifampicin and moxifloxacin daily for an 8-week treatment cycle. Moxifloxacin delivers outstanding bone-joint tissue penetration, enhancing curative effects for osteoarticular brucellosis and reducing rifampicin resistance risks relative to dual-drug regimens.