Surrey Memorial Hospital is one of 12 hospitals around the globe involved in a clinical trial to help determine optimal treatments for bloodstream infections.
The monkeypox outbreak and COVID-19 pandemic taught us that microbes can spread quickly through continents, countries and communities. Some infections are becoming increasingly difficult to treat because the germs have become more resistant to antibiotics. One form of antibiotic resistance, in particular, called extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), is becoming a common threat in Canada.
ESBL bacteria, most commonly E. coli, are found in common infections like urinary tract infections. They can also cause infections after surgery and during chemotherapy. The World Health Organization considers ESBL a critical priority for research and drug development. The big guns of the antibiotic world—carbapenems—are often used to treat ESBL and other serious infections. However, they come with problems of their own, including the possibility of antibiotic resistance, which could render these “last line of defence” drugs useless.
To help improve care for the treatment of ESBL infections, Surrey Memorial Hospital is participating in an international, randomized clinical trial comparing two commonly used antibiotics: piperacillin–tazobactam, a member of the penicillin family, with meropenem, a carbapenem. Both drugs are widely available, and the trial will help to determine which medication is best for different patients.
“This is an opportunity for Surrey Memorial Hospital to contribute to important research in a unique way. Our patients are often underrepresented in clinical trials,” says Dr. Kevin Afra, executive medical director for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Control. “Our clinical teams, including physicians, pharmacists, nurses and laboratory staff, have embraced this important research, and patients have also been excited to participate.”
The study is being carried out by the Surrey Memorial Hospital Clinical Research Unit Team. “Collaborating internationally in clinical research allows us to optimize current care for our patients and help shape future treatments,” says Christopher Condin, clinical research lead. “With global challenges like antibiotic resistance, we need global collaboration to move the dial forward. Fraser Health teams are committed to doing this, and we’re really proud of how our hospital is contributing to this effort.”
The PETERPEN study will enroll more than 1,000 patients worldwide. Participation is voluntary and patients are told which drug they are receiving.