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Study comparing 3-week versus 6-week antibiotic treatment for patients with drained pyogenic liver abscess

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What is this trial about?

A plain-language summary of the goals, design and what participants do

This study focuses on treating pyogenic liver abscess, which is a collection of pus in the liver caused by bacterial infection. The study aims to determine if 3 weeks of antibiotic treatment is as effective as 6 weeks of treatment after drainage of the abscess. Various antibiotics will be used including meropenem, linezolid, tedizolid, sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim, ceftazidime with avibactam, daptomycin, colistin, metronidazole, amikacin, and imipenem with cilastatin.

The medications will be given either by mouth or through a vein, depending on the specific antibiotic used. The treatment begins after the abscess has been drained through a medical procedure. Patients will be monitored for 12 weeks after the drainage procedure to assess how well the treatment worked.

The study will track several aspects of patient recovery, including how quickly the abscess disappears on imaging tests, how long patients stay in the hospital, and whether there are any complications or side effects from the treatment. Doctors will also monitor for any return of the infection and check how the antibiotics affect bacteria in the digestive system.

The research process

The trial runs in 5 steps – from screening to follow-up. Each step says what happens and what the team monitors.

  1. Step 1

    Initial assessment

    A CT scan will be performed to confirm the presence of liver abscess

    A sample of fluid from the liver abscess will be taken to identify the bacteria causing the infection

    Your eligibility for participation requires you to be at least 18 years old

  2. Step 2

    Drainage procedure

    The liver abscess will be drained through a thin tube placed through the skin (percutaneous drainage) or by needle aspiration

    A follow-up scan will be performed 10 days (plus/minus 2 days) after drainage to confirm that the abscess size has decreased by more than 50%

  3. Step 3

    Antibiotic treatment

    You will receive antibiotic treatment through one of two possible durations:

    Option 1: 3 weeks of antibiotics after drainage

    Option 2: 6 weeks of antibiotics after drainage

    Antibiotics may be given through a vein (intravenous) or by mouth (oral), including medications such as meropenem, linezolid, daptomycin, or other appropriate antibiotics

  4. Step 4

    Follow-up assessments

    Your liver abscess will be checked by imaging at weeks 3, 6, and 12 after drainage

    A bacterial test using a rectal swab will be performed at the start and at week 12

    Your progress will be monitored for any complications or side effects

    A final assessment will occur at week 12 to determine if the treatment was successful

  5. Step 5

    Extended monitoring

    Additional follow-up will continue until 6 months after treatment

    Any new health issues or recurrence of infection will be documented

    The study will monitor for any adverse effects from the treatment

Who can join the trial?

7 criteria

  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Must have a liver abscess (a collection of pus in the liver) confirmed by a CT scan (special X-ray imaging)
  • Must have bacteria found in the pus sample taken from the liver abscess through laboratory testing
  • Must show successful drainage of the abscess, meaning the size of the abscess has decreased by more than 50% when checked by ultrasound or CT scan about 10 days after the drainage procedure
  • Can be either male or female
  • The drainage can be done either through:
    • Percutaneous drainage (inserting a thin tube through the skin to drain the abscess)
    • Aspiration (removing fluid using a needle)

Who cannot join the trial?

13 criteria

  • Age under 18 years old
  • Presence of septic shock (a serious condition where blood pressure drops dangerously low due to infection)
  • Immunocompromised patients (people with weakened immune systems)
  • Patients who cannot receive oral antibiotics
  • Known allergy to the study medications
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women
  • Patients with multiple liver abscesses (more than one infected area in the liver)
  • Patients who have already started antibiotic treatment for more than 48 hours
  • Patients unable to provide informed consent
  • Patients with severe liver disease
  • Patients with polymicrobial infection (infection caused by multiple types of bacteria)
  • Patients who cannot attend follow-up visits
  • Participation in another clinical trial within the past 30 days
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Investigated drugs

Antibiotic therapy This trial evaluates antibiotic treatment used after draining liver abscesses (infected fluid collections in the liver). The antibiotics are used to clear the remaining infection after the drainage procedure. The specific antibiotics may vary depending on the type of bacteria causing the infection, but they are all medications designed to fight bacterial infections. The study compares different durations of the same antibiotic treatment to determine the most effective length of therapy.

What is already known about the treatment

Since no specific medications are named in the provided trial data, I can describe the general antibiotic therapy typically used in this condition: Broad-spectrum antibiotics - These are medications administered intravenously or orally to treat pyogenic liver abscess, typically including combinations of antibiotics that target both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The antibiotics work by interfering with bacterial cell wall synthesis, protein production, or DNA replication, effectively killing the infectious organisms or preventing their growth. These medications belong to several pharmacological classes including cephalosporins, penicillins, and metronidazole, and are prescribed for either 3 or 6 weeks duration as part of the treatment protocol alongside abscess drainage, as being studied in this clinical trial.

Investigated diseases

Pyogenic Liver Abscess - A serious infection in the liver where pus-filled cavities develop within the liver tissue. The condition occurs when bacteria enter the liver and cause an infection, leading to the formation of one or more abscesses. The infection typically begins with inflammation of liver tissue, which then progresses to the formation of pus-filled pockets. The abscess can vary in size and may be single or multiple. The condition can develop from various sources, including infections in the abdomen, blood-borne infections, or as a complication of other medical procedures.
Trial detailsLast updated 2 Oct 2026
Age18+ yearsPhasePhase IIITrial ID2025-520940-14-00Estimated enrolment456 patientsSponsorAssistance Publique Hopitaux De Paris

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On this site, “treatment” means an investigational medicine being studied in a clinical trial. Its safety and efficacy for the use being studied have not yet been confirmed, some participants may receive a placebo or a comparator medicine, and taking part does not guarantee any health benefit. The decision to take part is made by the doctor at the research site. This site is for information only and does not replace medical advice.

This service is not affiliated with the European Commission, the EMA, or the official CTIS system. Most information comes from publicly available international clinical-trial registries, supplemented by data from academic sites, national regulators and commercial sponsors. On this site, “treatment” and “therapy” mean a medicine being tested in a clinical trial. Its safety and effectiveness in the use being studied are not yet confirmed, some participants may receive a placebo or a comparator, and taking part does not guarantee a health benefit. The doctor at the research site decides who can take part. This site provides information, not medical advice. Certain content and visual elements on this website have been generated or enhanced using artificial intelligence (AI).