PEG Bac Version 1.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Procalcitonin to reduce antibiotic Exposure in patients with a Gram negative bacteraemia
IRAS ID
277428
Contact name
Imran Qureshi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 11 days
Research summary
The proposed study is to determine whether regular measurement of blood levels of procalcitonin (a chemical in the blood, released sometimes in response to infection) can be used to reduce exposure to antibiotics in patients who have been found to have to a particular type of bacteria in their blood stream. "Gram negative" bacteria normally infect the abdomen or urinary tract. Having Gram negative bacteria detectable in the blood is known as a "Gram negative bacteraemia". Patients who are admitted to Croydon University Hospital that are found to have a Gram negative bacteraemia on blood testing will be randomly allocated to either an intervention group or a control group. In the intervention group procalcitonin levels from blood tests will be measured retrospectively from their saved admission blood samples and daily thereafter. According to a preset algorithm based on procalcitonin level values, the medical team looking after the participant will be discouraged from, or encouraged to, discontinue antibiotics. In the control group the volunteers will receive treatment as per standard practice, that is, there will be no intervention from the researchers. We will analyse whether there is a difference between the two groups in terms of antibiotic exposure (in number of days) and also secondary outcome measures of further antibiotic courses required, any cause re-admission to hospital, mortality and admission to the intensive care unit.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0413
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jul 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion