Sodium chloride: This is sterile salt water used to rinse the space around the lungs early in the trial. It is given through the chest tube to help wash out infected fluid and pus, with the goal of improving drainage and helping the infection clear more quickly.

Clindamycin: This is an antibiotic given into a vein to treat bacteria that may be causing the pleural infection. It helps kill or stop the growth of certain germs while the infection is being treated.

Dornase alfa: This is an inhaled medicine that helps break down thick mucus. In this study background treatment, it is used to help make infected material thinner and easier to drain from the chest.

Urokinase: This is a medicine given into a vein that can help break down clots and thick material. In the context of this trial, it is part of the treatment used to help open up and drain the infected pleural space.

Linezolid: This is an antibiotic given into a vein to treat serious bacterial infections. It is used when doctors want strong coverage against certain bacteria that can cause pleural infection.

Alteplase: This is a clot-busting medicine given into a vein. In this trial setting, it is used to help break down thick infected material so it can drain more easily from around the lungs.

Cefepime: This is a broad-spectrum antibiotic given into a vein. It is used to treat a wide range of bacteria that may be involved in a complicated pleural infection.

Piperacillin/tazobactam: This is a combination antibiotic given into a vein. It helps treat many different types of bacteria, including some that are harder to kill, and is used as part of standard infection treatment.

Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid: This is a combination antibiotic given into a vein. It is used to fight bacteria that may be causing the infection, including some that can resist ordinary antibiotics.

Vancomycin: This is an antibiotic given into a vein. It is often used to treat serious infections caused by certain resistant bacteria, and it may be part of the standard care for pleural infection.

Cefotaxime: This is an antibiotic given into a vein. It helps treat bacterial infections and may be used as part of the standard treatment plan for the pleural infection.

Metronidazole: This is an antibiotic given into a vein that works well against certain bacteria, especially those that do not need oxygen to grow. It is used to help treat mixed infections in the chest.

Pleural infection – A pleural infection is an infection of the thin space between the lung and the chest wall, where fluid can build up. It usually begins as a simple infected fluid collection and can progress to a more thickened, pus-like stage. As it advances, the fluid may become trapped in pockets and the lining around the lung may thicken. This can make the infection more difficult to clear and may lead to ongoing fluid buildup in the chest.