Ongoing Clinical Trials for Giardiasis
There is currently 1 ongoing clinical trial for giardiasis, focusing on treatment options for children with infections that have not responded to standard medications. This trial is taking place in Spain and compares two different drugs to find the most effective approach for resistant cases.
Clinical trial locations
Study Comparing Mepacrine and Metronidazole for Treating Resistant Giardiasis in Children Aged 1 to 18 Years
This clinical trial is designed to help children who have an intestinal infection caused by a parasite called Giardia, and whose infection has not improved with the usual first-line treatment. The study is specifically for children between 1 and 18 years old.
Who can join this trial?
Children may be eligible if they:
- Are between 1 and 18 years old
- Have been diagnosed with intestinal giardiasis
- Have not responded to the usual first treatment for the infection
- Have consent from their parents or guardians to participate
Who cannot join this trial?
Children are not eligible if they:
- Are younger than 1 year or older than 18 years
- Have other serious health conditions that could affect the study
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have allergies to the study medications or similar drugs
- Have recently participated in another clinical trial
- Have any condition that makes it unsafe to take the study medication
What is the goal of this trial?
The main goal is to find out whether a drug called quinacrine (also known as mepacrine) works as well as the standard treatment, metronidazole, in eliminating the parasite from children whose infection has been resistant to initial treatment. Researchers will also monitor how safe the medications are and whether children experience any side effects.
During the trial, children will be randomly assigned to receive either quinacrine or metronidazole. Those receiving quinacrine will take it three times a day for five days at a dose of 6 mg per kilogram of body weight. Those receiving metronidazole will take high doses according to the prescribed schedule. Throughout the study, doctors will check whether the parasite has been eliminated and will collect blood and hair samples to measure drug levels. They will also watch for any side effects.
What drugs are being tested?
Quinacrine is the investigational drug being tested in this trial. It works by interfering with the parasite’s ability to produce DNA and RNA, which ultimately kills it. Quinacrine is given as tablets that are taken by mouth every 8 hours for 5 days. It has been used historically to treat various parasitic infections and is now being studied specifically for resistant cases of giardiasis in children.
Metronidazole is the standard treatment for giardiasis and is used in this trial as a comparison. It is an antibiotic and antiprotozoal medication that works by entering the parasite’s cells and disrupting its DNA, leading to its death. Metronidazole is also taken by mouth in tablet form.
Summary
Currently, there is one clinical trial available for children with giardiasis that has not responded to standard treatment. This trial is being conducted in Spain and focuses on comparing quinacrine with metronidazole to determine which medication is more effective and safer for treating resistant infections. The trial is expected to run until 2028 and will provide important information about treatment options for children affected by this intestinal parasite. Families interested in participating should discuss eligibility with their healthcare provider.
