Clinical Research Directory

Characterization of the Synergistic Antibacterial Effect of Verapamil on Bacterial Isolates From Cancer Patients

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria represent a significant global health challenge, particularly among immunocompromised populations such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. These patients are highly susceptible to severe infections due to weakened immune defenses, often necessitating the use of broad-spectrum or combination antibiotic therapy. Combination regimens may enhance treatment efficacy through synergistic effects, helping to overcome bacterial resistance mechanisms and improve clinical outcomes. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of non-antibiotic drugs as adjunctive agents to enhance antimicrobial activity. These agents, often referred to as antibiotic adjuvants or resistance modifiers, may improve antibiotic effectiveness through mechanisms such as inhibition of bacterial efflux pumps, disruption of biofilm formation, or interference with resistance pathways. Verapamil, a widely used calcium channel blocker, has demonstrated potential antimicrobial and resistance-modifying properties. Experimental evidence suggests that verapamil can inhibit bacterial efflux pumps, thereby increasing intracellular concentrations of antibiotics and enhancing their activity against resistant organisms. This study aims to evaluate the in vitro synergistic antibacterial activity of verapamil in combination with selected antibiotics against MDR, extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and pandrug-resistant (PDR) bacterial isolates obtained from cancer patients. Standard microbiological methods will be used to determine antimicrobial susceptibility and minimum inhibitory concentrations, while combination effects will be assessed using established synergy testing approaches. The findings of this study may contribute to identifying novel, cost-effective strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance through drug repurposing and optimization of existing antibiotic therapies.

Feasibility of the Application of a New Six-month Treatment for Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) Patients in France (FAST-MDR)

The FAST-MDR trial is an externally-controlled, multicentre trial with one prospective arm, evaluating the non-inferiority of the effectiveness of BPaLM in the interventional arm versus the effectiveness of the long, conventional regimen in a French historical cohort of MDR-TB patients (2006-2022). In light of recent WHO recommendations suggesting using BPaLM as a first choice for routine MDR-TB treatment and of the expected benefits of BPaLM over the standard treatment, there will be no internal comparator arm in the study.

Real-world Multicentre Study of AZtreonam-AVIbactam Treatment With Infections or Suspected Infections Caused by Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative Bacteria

The AZAVI study is a multicenter observational registry (ICU and Infectious Diseases departments), designed to evaluate the real-world use of aztreonam-avibactam for suspected or documented infections caused by metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing Enterobacterales or highly resistant Gram-negative bacteria. The study combines a retrospective cohort (patients treated during the 12 months prior to the drug's hospital availability) and a prospective cohort (patients consecutively included over 24 months). The primary outcome is clinical success at day 7 after antibiotic discontinuation, defined as resolution of signs and symptoms of infection without recurrence or need for additional active therapy. Secondary outcomes include microbiological eradication, 14-day and 28-day all-cause mortality, infection relapse, length of stay, safety outcomes, and predictors of treatment failure. Data will be collected using a standardized CRF, including demographics, severity scores, infection site and pathogens, therapeutic regimens, organ failures and support, adverse events, and outcomes. Descriptive statistics and multivariable models will be used to assess real-world effectiveness, identify determinants of clinical response, and inform stewardship strategies. This registry will provide the first national-scale evidence on the role of aztreonam-avibactam in critically ill patients outside the framework of controlled clinical trials.

Antibiotics, Antibiotic Resistance, and Prescribing Practices Among Periodontists: Cross Sectional KAP Study

Antibiotic resistance is a global health threats that require attention from all healthcare providers. In Periodontology, antibiotic is prescribed in many clinical situations. The aim of this study is to assess the followings among Periodontists (1) The knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) towards antibiotics and antibiotic resistance; (2) The prescribing practices of antibiotics in periodontal therapy; (3) The correlation between personal perception of antibiotics uses and the professional prescription patterns; and (4) The differences in antibiotics prescription in relation to the years of experience and the academic background.