Finding Better Treatment of Bronchiolitis: A Clinical Trial of Oral Nitazoxanide for the Treatment of Bronchiolitis in Infants Presenting to Hospital Emergency Departments

A Phase II Double-blind Randomised, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial of Oral Nitazoxanide for the Treatment of Bronchiolitis in Infants Presenting to Hospital Emergency Departments

Bronchiolitis is an extremely common cause of respiratory illness in infants caused by viral infection.This study evaluates whether treatment with nitazoxanide (NTZ) reduces the duration and severity of respiratory symptoms caused by bronchiolitis. Half of the participants will receive NTZ while the other half will receive a placebo.

Nitazoxanide (NTZ) is a novel anti-infective medication that is licenced for use in the United States (US), including in children and infants for treating some infections. It is in the thiazolide class of antimicrobials and has been shown to have in vitro and/or clinical activity against a broad spectrum of pathogens, including a range of viruses, parasites and bacteria.

This study will determine whether NTZ is an effective empirical treatment for bronchiolitis. It will also help us to understand what effect NTZ has on the amount of virus present and how viral load changes over the course of the disease. If this study shows that NTZ is a useful treatment, then a larger study will be conducted enrolling infants that present to primary care facilities.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged greater than or equal to 1 month to less than or equal to 12 months
• Diagnosed with bronchiolitis by the assessing doctor
• Parent/legally responsible carer has provided informed consent for their infant/child to participate in the study
• Parent/legally responsible carer able and willing to comply with the requirements of the protocol
• Parent/legally responsible carer willing to attend a study follow up visit on study day 3 if their infant/child has previously been discharged from hospital
• Parent/legally responsible carer willing to allow other parties involved in the treatment of his or her child (including the general practitioner, paediatrician, hospital medical and nursing staff, community clinic staff) to be notified of participation in the trial
• Infants and children whose parent is willing to allow the study team to obtain an interim medical history from the participants electronic medical records (including immunisation records) and/or from the participants general practitioner or other medical professional for the period from enrolment to study day 180

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of symptoms of bronchiolitis (breathing difficulty, difficulty feeding, cough, poor feeding) for greater than or equal to 48 hours at the time of enrolment
• Born at gestational age of less than 32 weeks
• Has a history of any condition associated with risk of severe bronchiolitis including (significant cardiovascular disease, including congenital heart disease, significant respiratory disease including chronic lung disease, Trisomy 21, significant neurological disease including history of seizure disorder, significant impairment/alteration of the immune system including congenital immunodeficiency or any other disorder considered relevant by a medically qualified investigator
• Requiring admission to intensive care unit at enrolment
• Clinical suspicion of illness other than bronchiolitis
• Contraindication to the study drug or placebo (hypersensitivity), medical treatment with medication which in the opinion of the admitting team would make the child unsuitable for the study
• Receipt of investigational drug/vaccine, other than the drugs used in the study within 30 days prior to receiving the first dose of NTZ or their planned use during the study period until 1 month after the administration of the final dose of NTZ
• Previously enrolled in the study
• Parent less than 18 years of age

TEMPORARY EXCLUSION CRITERIA

• Receipt of an anti-viral medication within the previous 7 days
• Inability to tolerate either the oral or nasogastric route (e.g. ileus)
• Any systemic corticosteroid (or equivalent) treatment in 14 days prior to enrolment