Preventive Antibiotic Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: The PANTHERIS Trial
Author Information
Author(s): Harms Hendrik, Prass Konstantin, Meisel Christian, Klehmet Juliane, Rogge Witold, Drenckhahn Christoph, Göhler Jos, Bereswill Stefan, Göbel Ulf, Wernecke Klaus Dieter, Wolf Tilo, Arnold Guy, Halle Elke, Volk Hans-Dieter, Dirnagl Ulrich, Meisel Andreas
Primary Institution: Charité Universitaetsmedizin Berlin
Hypothesis
Does preventive antibacterial therapy with moxifloxacin reduce the incidence of infections in stroke patients?
Conclusion
Preventive administration of moxifloxacin significantly reduces infections after severe non-lacunar ischemic stroke compared to placebo.
Supporting Evidence
- Patients treated with moxifloxacin had a lower infection rate compared to those on placebo.
- The study showed a significant reduction in C-reactive protein levels in the moxifloxacin group.
- Stroke-associated infections were linked to lower survival rates.
- Monocytic HLA-DR expression was a strong predictor of post-stroke infections.
Takeaway
Giving a medicine called moxifloxacin to stroke patients can help stop them from getting infections.
Methodology
This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 80 patients with severe ischemic stroke.
Potential Biases
Potential selection bias due to the nature of the trial design.
Limitations
The study was not sufficiently powered to demonstrate clinical superiority of preventive antibacterial treatment.
Participant Demographics
Patients with severe, non-lacunar ischemic stroke, aged 18 and older.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.032
Confidence Interval
95% CI 2.8%–44.3%
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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