Efficacy of Temocillin Compared to Standard of Care in the Treatment of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Infections

Summary

Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) infections are common and increasing in incidence. Treatment with a third generation cephalosporin, i.e ceftriaxone 1g, single dose, intramuscular (IM), is recommended as a first line treatment. Ceftriaxone is a broad-spectrum antibiotic with high impact on the intestinal microbiota associated with the acquisition of multidrug-resistant bacteria, particularly extended spectrum beta lactamase producing Enterobacteracerales (ESBL-E). Among populations at high risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI), the colonization rate of ESBL-E is particularly high, up to 30%, implying (i) a risk of transmission within the community and (ii) a risk of infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms, which are difficult to treat. Temocillin, a narrow-spectrum antibiotic is known for its low ecological impact, appears to be a highly promising option. Ng strains currently circulating in France appear to be sensitive to it. Thus, temocillin could be as effective as ceftriaxone to treat Ng infections while avoiding the deleterious impact of broad-spectrum β-lactams on the acquisition of multidrug-resistant bacteria by patients

Conditions

• Neisseria Gonorrhoeae (Ng) Infections

Interventions

DRUG

Temocillin (NEGABAN®) 2 g intravenous with lidocaine (3ml)

patients will receive a single 2 g dose of IV temocillin diluted in 20 mL of water for injection. In this trial, we chose to test the IV route, as the classical intramuscular (IM) injection is often described as painful. We hypothesize that the IV route may be more comfortable for patients. Moreover, after administration of a 2 g IV a slow intravenous injection (over 3 to 4 minutes), the peak plasma concentration reaches approximately 220-250 mg/L, and temocillin concentrations remain detectable after 12 hours (the dosing interval) at around 15 mg/L. We hypothesize that this high plasma concentration could improve treatment of pharyngeal infection.

OTHER

Rectal swab for ESBL-E and microbiota (Eswab)

consists of collecting a rectal specimen using a sterile eSwab system. The swab is gently inserted into the rectum and rotated to obtain a sample of rectal flora. The collected specimen is then placed in the transport medium and sent to the laboratory for microbiological analysis. The sample is used to detect ESBL-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) and to analyze the intestinal microbiota composition.

DRUG

Temocillin (NEGABAN®) 2 g intramuscular single dose with lidocaine (3ml)

patients will receive a single 2 g dose of IM temocillin after reconstitution with 3 mL of lidocaine at 10 mg/mL to prevent pain at the injection site. A single 1 g dose of temocillin has been used for the treatment of N. gonorrhoeae infection (Reimer et al., 1985). We chose to use a single 2 g dose because penicillin MICs are increasing. For bacterial STIs, treatment is currently administered via the intramuscular route, which is the fastest and most practical method of antibiotic administration for outpatients.

DRUG

Ceftriaxone 1 g intramuscular single dose with lidocaine (3,5ml)

patients will receive a single 1 g dose of IM ceftriaxone (SOC) after reconstitution with 3,5 mL of lidocaine at 10 mg/mL to prevent pain at the injection site

OTHER

Rectal, throat, urine/vagina swab (Cobas/Panther and eswab)

consists of collecting biological specimens from rectal, throat, urine, and vaginal sites using appropriate sterile collection devices, including eSwab systems and sample kits compatible with Cobas or Panther platforms. Samples are collected according to standard clinical procedures and transported to the laboratory for microbiological and molecular analyses. These specimens are analyzed using automated diagnostic platforms (Cobas or Panther) and conventional microbiological methods to detect and identify microorganisms or pathogens present at the sampled sites.

OTHER

Blood samples: 1 EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) (7 ml) and 1dry tube (7 ml)

The blood sample will be performed 15 min after IV administration and 60 min after IM administration.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Laure SURGERS, Doctor · Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-09-30

Primary Completion

2028-10-31

Completion

2028-12-31

Countries

• France

Study Locations