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NCT Number: NCT07779629

Efficacy & Safety of Fluoroquinolone-Based Brucellosis Regimens (BRUCE)

Brucellosis is a globally distributed zoonosis with persistent clinical management challenges. The World Health Organization(WHO)-recommended doxycycline-rifampin (DOX-RIF) dual regimen may drive rifampin-associated antimicrobial resistance across all brucellosis-endemic regions. Patients with osteoarticular brucellosis require long-term intravenous ceftriaxone triple therapy, which is linked to poor treatment adherence due to repeated hospital visits and outpatient care demands. Fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin [LVX], moxifloxacin [MXF]) exert excellent anti-Brucella activity and superior bone-joint penetration, yet high-quality multicenter prospective data comparing rifampin-sparing LVX-DOX/MXF-DOX dual regimens against standard RIF-DOX remain rarely reported. Existing comparative studies are limited to small single-center retrospective cohorts or trials pairing rifampin with fluoroquinolones rather than rifampin-free dual oral therapy. This multicenter prospective parallel-cohort protocol includes Module I (non-inferiority design) : 200 patients with uncomplicated acute brucellosis receiving 6-week dual oral therapy; and Module II (non-inferiority design) : 150 patients with imaging-confirmed osteoarticular brucellosis receiving 12-week triple therapy. Clinical data of standardized clinical, laboratory, radiologic, and subsequent longitudinal follow-up data will be collected via centralized electronic data capture. Primary endpoints include clinical and microbiological cure rates at 6 weeks (Module I) and 12 weeks (Module II). Secondary endpoints measure 24-week post treatment recurrence, 24- and 48-week radiologic improvement for osteoarticular disease, and adverse events during treatment. Multivariate regression and Cox models will identify independent prognostic factors and construct a generalizable recurrence risk prediction model. This clinical trial fills a critical evidence gap for oral fluoroquinolone-based regimens, with findings intended to supply supplementary brucellosis treatment approach, reduce rifampin resistance pressure, and eliminate reliance on prolonged parenteral therapy for complicated brucellosis.

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Key information

Conditions

Brucellosis Arthritis Bacterial Infections Bacterial Infections and Mycoses Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections Infections Joint Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Osteoarthritis Rheumatic Diseases

Age range

16 year–75 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

1. The diagnostic basis for confirmed cases of brucellosis is the "Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Brucellosis" published by the Editorial Board of the Chinese Journal of Infectious Diseases in 2017 and the "Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Brucellosis (2023 Edition)".

  • There is an epidemiological history, such as a history of contact with suspected or confirmed animals, patients, contaminated animal products, or cultures; living in an endemic area of brucellosis; or having a close relationship with the production, use, and research of vaccines.
  • At the same time, there are the following relevant clinical manifestations: fever, hyperhidrosis, joint pain, headache, fatigue, anorexia, myalgia, weight loss, arthritis, spondylitis, meningitis, or focal organ involvement such as endocarditis, hepatosplenomegaly, orchitis, or epididymitis.
  • In the serological screening, the Rose Bengal plate agglutination test is positive. For the tube agglutination test (SAT), the titer is 1:100 or higher with significant agglutination, or if the course of the disease is more than one year, the titer is 1:50 with significant agglutination or higher; or if there is a history of brucellosis vaccination within half a year, the titer reaches 1:100 with significant agglutination or higher. Accompanied by (or) positive culture of Brucella in the patient's blood, body fluids, or tissues. Or positive NGS detection of Brucella.
  • On the basis of the above - mentioned diagnosis of brucellosis, spondylitis and sacroiliitis are also present.

Exclusion criteria

1. Those with comorbid tuberculosis, severe cardiopulmonary dysfunction, advanced tumors, central nervous system diseases (such as a history of epilepsy), or other systemic diseases; 2. Those with comorbid neurological or mental disorders who are unable or unwilling to cooperate; 3. Pregnant or lactating women, or those with a recent plan to have children; 4. Patients with a history of using glucocorticoids, immunomodulators, anti - tuberculosis drugs, etc. within the past 3 months; 5. Patients with missing important information or abnormal mental states.

Treatment and study plan

Doxycycline + Rifampicin

Drug

Standard first-line dual oral regimen recommended by WHO for brucellosis. Eligible patients with uncomplicated brucellosis take oral doxycycline combined with rifampicin continuously for an 8-week course.

Doxycycline + Levofloxacin

Drug

Experimental dual oral regimen for uncomplicated brucellosis. Patients receive oral doxycycline combined with levofloxacin for a total of 8 weeks.

Doxycycline + Moxifloxacin

Drug

Experimental dual oral regimen for uncomplicated brucellosis. Patients receive oral doxycycline combined with moxifloxacin for a total of 8 weeks.

Doxycycline + Rifampicin + Ceftriaxone (intravenous therapy for 4 weeks)

Drug

Triple combined regimen for moderate-severe osteoarticular brucellosis. Patients take oral doxycycline and rifampicin continuously, plus 4 weeks of intravenous ceftriaxone infusion. The scheme targets complicated joint and bone lesions to strengthen antibacterial efficacy for severe cases.

Triple oral regimen (Doxycycline + Rifampicin + Levofloxacin)

Drug

Full-course oral triple regimen for brucellosis treatment. Patients continuously take oral doxycycline, rifampicin and levofloxacin for 8 weeks. This regimen boosts antibacterial potency against bone-joint brucellosis lesions and lowers rifampicin resistance risks compared with dual-drug schemes.

Triple oral regimen (Doxycycline + Rifampicin + Moxifloxacin)

Drug

Full-course oral triple regimen for brucellosis therapy. Patients take oral doxycycline, rifampicin and moxifloxacin daily for an 8-week treatment cycle. Moxifloxacin delivers outstanding bone-joint tissue penetration, enhancing curative effects for osteoarticular brucellosis and reducing rifampicin resistance risks relative to dual-drug regimens.

Primary outcomes

  1. clinical cure rate in 6 weeks(body temperature returns to normal, symptoms are relieved)

    Time frame: End of treatment (Week 6)

    The proportion of participants achieving clinical cure at 6-week treatment completion, defined as body temperature returning to normal and relief of clinical symptoms.

  2. six - month recurrence rate

    Time frame: 6 months after treatment initiation

    The proportion of participants with disease recurrence within 6 months after treatment initiation.

  3. The time required for the VAS score of joint pain to decrease by ≥50%

    Time frame: Baseline (Week0) \During the treatment period (the 3rd month),\end of treatment (Month 6)

    The number of days from treatment initiation until the VAS score of joint pain decreases by at least 50%.

  4. Treatment completion rate (compliance rate > 90%)

    Time frame: end of treatment (Month 6)

    The proportion of participants who complete the full treatment course with drug compliance greater than 90%.

  5. 6-month rate of radiological improvement

    Time frame: end of treatment (Month 6)

    The proportion of participants with radiological imaging improvement at 6-month end-of-treatment visit.

Secondary outcomes

  1. incidence rate of adverse events

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), end of treatment (Week 6), 6 months and 12 months after treatment initiation

    The proportion of participants experiencing any adverse event during the observation period.

  2. incidence rate of serious adverse events (SAE)

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), end of treatment (Week 6), 6 months and 12 months after treatment initiation

    The proportion of participants experiencing any serious adverse event (SAE) during the observation period.

  3. abnormal liver function (ALT/AST >3 times the normal value)

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), end of treatment (Week 6), 6 months and 12 months after treatment initiation

    The proportion of participants with ALT or AST exceeding 3 times the upper limit of normal.

  4. Time for body temperature to return to normal

    Time frame: During treatment (Week 0 to Week 6)

    The number of days required for body temperature to return to normal after starting treatment.

  5. Abnormal renal function (serum creatinine increased by >50%)

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), end of treatment (Week 6), 6 months and 12 months after treatment initiation

    The proportion of participants with serum creatinine increased by more than 50% compared with baseline value.

  6. symptom relief time

    Time frame: During treatment (Week 0 to Week 6)

    The number of days from treatment initiation until clinical symptoms are relieved.

  7. Quality of life score (SF - 36 scale)

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), end of treatment (Week 6), 6 months and 12 months after treatment initiation

    36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Scores range from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate better quality of life.

  8. Function recovery score (BASDAI score)

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), end of treatment (Week 6), 12 months after treatment initiation

    Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score for assessing joint function recovery.

  9. Microbiological cure (Negative conversion of Brucella OMP22 expression)

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), end of treatment (Week 6), 6 months and 12 months after treatment initiation

    Microbiological cure defined as negative conversion of Brucella OMP22 expression test.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Songsong Xie, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+8618999738895

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University

Other

Collaborators

  • Qitai Hospital of the Sixth Division, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps
  • Sixth Division Hospital, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (Wujiaqu People's Hospital)
  • The Second People's Hospital of Yining, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
  • Xinhua Hospital of Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang
  • Yanqi Hospital of the Second Division, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps

Registry information

Official study title

A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized, Open-Label, Parallel-Group Clinical Trial: Efficacy and Safety of Fluoroquinolone-Based Regimens for Uncomplicated and Osteoarticular Brucellosis (the BRUCE Study)

Acronym: BRUCE

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Aug 21, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 21, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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