Rifaximin Versus Norfloxacin in Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis

Summary

Background Prophylaxis of SBP is indicated in three high-risk populations: patients with acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage, patients with low total protein content in ascitic fluid, and patients with a previous history of SBP (secondary prophylaxis). Selective intestinal decontamination with norfloxacin, a quinolone with relatively poor gastrointestinal absorption and with antibacterial activity against GNB, is the most commonly used regimen, but several concerns have been recently raised in this regard. A recent network meta-analysis published by the investigators showed that rifaximin determines interesting results in this setting but needs to be tested in further trials. Given its favorable safety profile and the relatively low cost, rifaximin could represent the antibiotic of choice in long-term prophylaxis. Study Objective To establish the prophylactic efficacy, of rifaximin as compared to norfloxacin in cirrhotic patients with low protein content in the ascitic fluid. Protocol design Phase III, two-arms, open-label, multi-center, randomized controlled trial. Trial population Patients with cirrhosis and ascites and with low protein content in the ascitic fluid (≤1.5 g/dL) and with deteriorated liver function (Child-Pugh score ≥B9, serum bilirubin level ≥3 mg/dL) or impaired renal function (creatinine ≥1.2 mg/dL blood urea nitrogen level ≥25 mg/dL or hyponatremia ≤130 milliequivalent \[mEq\]/L) Protocol Treatments * The Treatment arm will undergo rifaximin 1200 mg/day in 3 doses. * The Control arm will undergo norfloxacin 400 mg 1/die for 6 months Primary Endpoint Prevention of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis episodes. Secondary Endpoints * Prevention of mortality (both all-cause and liver-related mortality) * Preventions of hepatorenal syndrome * Prevention of other infections * Adverse events Sample size and study duration It will be planned to enroll 322 patients (161 per arms) within 18 months. A minimum follow up of 6 months from the last patient recruited will be required.

Timeline

Start

2019-11-05

Primary completion

2021-11-20

Completion

2021-12-20

Publications

• Results Fernandez J, Navasa M, Gomez J, Colmenero J, Vila J, Arroyo V, Rodes J. Bacterial infections in cirrhosis: epidemiological changes with invasive procedures and norfloxacin prophylaxis. Hepatology. 2002 Jan;35(1):140-8. doi: 10.1053/jhep.2002.30082.
• Results European Association for the Study of the Liver. EASL clinical practice guidelines on the management of ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and hepatorenal syndrome in cirrhosis. J Hepatol. 2010 Sep;53(3):397-417. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2010.05.004. Epub 2010 Jun 1. No abstract available.
• Results Piano S, Brocca A, Mareso S, Angeli P. Infections complicating cirrhosis. Liver Int. 2018 Feb;38 Suppl 1:126-133. doi: 10.1111/liv.13645.
• Results Soriano G, Guarner C, Tomas A, Villanueva C, Torras X, Gonzalez D, Sainz S, Anguera A, Cusso X, Balanzo J, et al. Norfloxacin prevents bacterial infection in cirrhotics with gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Gastroenterology. 1992 Oct;103(4):1267-72. doi: 10.1016/0016-5085(92)91514-5.
• Results Aparicio JR, Such J, Pascual S, Arroyo A, Plazas J, Girona E, Gutierrez A, de Vera F, Palazon JM, Carnicer F, Perez-Mateo M. Development of quinolone-resistant strains of Escherichia coli in stools of patients with cirrhosis undergoing norfloxacin prophylaxis: clinical consequences. J Hepatol. 1999 Aug;31(2):277-83. doi: 10.1016/s0168-8278(99)80225-6.
• Results Menshawy A, Mattar O, Barssoum K, AboEl-Naga AM, Salim HM, Mohamed AMF, Elgebaly A, Abd-Elsalam S. Safety and Efficacy of Rifaximin in Prophylaxis of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Curr Drug Targets. 2019;20(4):380-387. doi: 10.2174/1389450119666180924145156.
• Results Facciorusso A, Papagiouvanni I, Cela M, Buccino VR, Sacco R. Comparative efficacy of long-term antibiotic treatments in the primary prophylaxis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Liver Int. 2019 Aug;39(8):1448-1458. doi: 10.1111/liv.14109. Epub 2019 Apr 25.
• Results Goel A, Rahim U, Nguyen LH, Stave C, Nguyen MH. Systematic review with meta-analysis: rifaximin for the prophylaxis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2017 Dec;46(11-12):1029-1036. doi: 10.1111/apt.14361. Epub 2017 Oct 9.
• Zacharias HD, Kamel F, Tan J, Kimer N, Gluud LL, Morgan MY. Rifaximin for prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy in people with cirrhosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023 Jul 19;7(7):CD011585. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD011585.pub2.

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