Dabigatran vs. Oral Anti-Xa Inhibitors in S. Aureus Bacteremia

Summary

This is an open-label randomized controlled trial which will enroll patients with S. aureus bacteremia who are already taking oral anticoagulant medications (apixaban, edoxaban, or rivaroxaban) for an approved indication (stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation, prevention or treatment of venous thromboembolism). We will randomize patients to continue their existing medication or change to another medication (dabigatran) which is approved for the original indication. Dabigatran is approved in many countries for the treatment or prevention of venous thromboembolism or preventing stroke in atrial fibrillation. Unlike the other medications listed above, dabigatran seems to have activity against S. aureus in the test tube, in animal models, and in a smaller randomized controlled trial. We wish to determine if changing to dabigatran will improve outcomes in S. aureus bacteremia in people who otherwise would have a reason to be taking it. This study is an approved sub-study of The Staphylococcus aureus Network Adaptive Platform (SNAP) trial (NCT05137119). If positive, this study will support a second RCT in people who do not currently have an indication for anticoagulation.

Timeline

Start

2026-01-15

Primary completion

2030-01

Completion

2030-01

Publications

• Background Lerche CJ, Christophersen LJ, Goetze JP, Nielsen PR, Thomsen K, Enevold C, Hoiby N, Jensen PO, Bundgaard H, Moser C. Adjunctive dabigatran therapy improves outcome of experimental left-sided Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis. PLoS One. 2019 Apr 19;14(4):e0215333. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215333. eCollection 2019.
• Background Butt JH, Fosbol EL, Verhamme P, Gerds TA, Iversen K, Bundgaard H, Bruun NE, Larsen AR, Petersen A, Andersen PS, Skov RL, Gislason GH, Torp-Pedersen C, Kober L, Olesen JB. Dabigatran and the Risk of Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia: A Nationwide Cohort Study. Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Aug 2;73(3):480-486. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa661.
• Background Vanassche T, Verhaegen J, Peetermans WE, VAN Ryn J, Cheng A, Schneewind O, Hoylaerts MF, Verhamme P. Inhibition of staphylothrombin by dabigatran reduces Staphylococcus aureus virulence. J Thromb Haemost. 2011 Dec;9(12):2436-46. doi: 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2011.04529.x.
• Background Vanassche T, Verhaegen J, Peetermans WE, Hoylaerts MF, Verhamme P. Dabigatran inhibits Staphylococcus aureus coagulase activity. J Clin Microbiol. 2010 Nov;48(11):4248-50. doi: 10.1128/JCM.00896-10. Epub 2010 Sep 1.
• Background Peetermans M, Liesenborghs L, Peerlinck K, Wijngaerden EV, Gheysens O, Goffin KE, Hoylaerts MF, Jacquemin M, Verhaegen J, Peetermans WE, Verhamme P, Vanassche T; Staphylothrombin Investigators. Targeting Coagulase Activity in Staphylococcus aureus Bacteraemia: A Randomized Controlled Single-Centre Trial of Staphylothrombin Inhibition. Thromb Haemost. 2018 May;118(5):818-829. doi: 10.1055/s-0038-1639586. Epub 2018 Apr 3.
• Background Tong SYC, Mora J, Bowen AC, Cheng MP, Daneman N, Goodman AL, Heriot GS, Lee TC, Lewis RJ, Lye DC, Mahar RK, Marsh J, McGlothlin A, McQuilten Z, Morpeth SC, Paterson DL, Price DJ, Roberts JA, Robinson JO, van Hal SJ, Walls G, Webb SA, Whiteway L, Yahav D, Davis JS; Staphylococcus aureus Network Adaptive Platform (SNAP) Study Group. The Staphylococcus aureus Network Adaptive Platform Trial Protocol: New Tools for an Old Foe. Clin Infect Dis. 2022 Nov 30;75(11):2027-2034. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciac476.
• McDonald EG, Cheng MP, Davis JS, Goodman AL, Lawler PR, Marsh J, Mertz D, Paul M, Rodriguez-Bano J, Siegal DM, Tong SY, Walls G, Lee TC; SNAP Global Trial Steering Committee. Is there a role for anticoagulation with dabigatran in S. aureus bacteremia? Protocol for the adjunctive treatment domain of the Staphylococcus aureus Network Adaptive Platform (SNAP) randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2025 Dec 12;15(12):e107493. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-107493.

Drugs

Indications