Clinical Research Directory

Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.

Sites Groups Studies

Back to Studies

WITHDRAWN

NCT07779629

Efficacy & Safety of Fluoroquinolone-Based Brucellosis Regimens (BRUCE)

Sponsor: The First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University

View on ClinicalTrials.gov

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. This original trial record (NCT07779629, BRUCE Study) has been split into two independent clinical trials focusing on different brucellosis phenotypes. The two separate trials have been registered individually: NCT07887126 for uncomplicated brucellosis and NCT07887152 for osteoarticular brucellosis. The original combined protocol is retired and will not be implemented further.

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

Start Date

2026-10-01

Completion Date

2026-10-02

Last Updated

2026-10-27

Healthy Volunteers

Conditions

Brucellosis Osteoarthritis

Interventions

DRUG

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.

DRUG

Doxycycline + Levofloxacin

Experimental dual oral regimen for uncomplicated brucellosis. Patients receive oral doxycycline combined with levofloxacin for a total of 8 weeks.

DRUG

Doxycycline + Moxifloxacin

Experimental dual oral regimen for uncomplicated brucellosis. Patients receive oral doxycycline combined with moxifloxacin for a total of 8 weeks.

DRUG

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.

DRUG

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.

DRUG

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.

Inclusion Criteria:1. The diagnostic basis for confirmed cases of brucellosis is the "Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Brucellosis" published by the Editorial Board of the Chinese Journal of Infectious Diseases in 2017 and the "Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Brucellosis (2023 Edition)". 1. There is an epidemiological history, such as a history of contact with suspected or confirmed animals, patients, contaminated animal products, or cultures; living in an endemic area of brucellosis; or having a close relationship with the production, use, and research of vaccines. 2. At the same time, there are the following relevant clinical manifestations: fever, hyperhidrosis, joint pain, headache, fatigue, anorexia, myalgia, weight loss, arthritis, spondylitis, meningitis, or focal organ involvement such as endocarditis, hepatosplenomegaly, orchitis, or epididymitis. 3. In the serological screening, the Rose Bengal plate agglutination test is positive. For the tube agglutination test (SAT), the titer is 1:100 or higher with significant agglutination, or if the course of the disease is more than one year, the titer is 1:50 with significant agglutination or higher; or if there is a history of brucellosis vaccination within half a year, the titer reaches 1:100 with significant agglutination or higher. Accompanied by (or) positive culture of Brucella in the patient's blood, body fluids, or tissues. Or positive NGS detection of Brucella. 2\. On the basis of the above - mentioned diagnosis of brucellosis, spondylitis and sacroiliitis are also present. Exclusion Criteria:1. Those with comorbid tuberculosis, severe cardiopulmonary dysfunction, advanced tumors, central nervous system diseases (such as a history of epilepsy), or other systemic diseases; 2. Those with comorbid neurological or mental disorders who are unable or unwilling to cooperate; 3. Pregnant or lactating women, or those with a recent plan to have children; 4. Patients with a history of using glucocorticoids, immunomodulators, anti - tuberculosis drugs, etc. within the past 3 months; 5. Patients with missing important information or abnormal mental states.

Locations (1)

The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University

Shihezi, Xinjiang, China

Clinical Research Directory

Efficacy & Safety of Fluoroquinolone-Based Brucellosis Regimens (BRUCE)

Summary

Key Details

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility Criteria

Locations (1)