Can a common antibiotic beat yaws? new trial puts linezolid to the test

NCT ID NCT05764876

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This phase 3 trial investigates whether the antibiotic linezolid can cure yaws, a bacterial skin infection that causes ulcers, as effectively as the standard treatment azithromycin. The study involves 384 children aged 5 to 18 with confirmed yaws. Participants receive either linezolid for 7 days or a single dose of azithromycin, and researchers track whether their skin lesions heal and if the infection clears from the body.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Linezolid (oral tablet)

What this could lead to

If linezolid works as well as azithromycin, it could provide an alternative treatment for yaws, especially in areas where antibiotic resistance is a concern.

What could go wrong

This is a single trial with 384 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Linezolid may cause side effects like nausea or diarrhea, and it is not yet proven to be as effective as the standard treatment.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Skin Ulcer yaws

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • National Department of Health

    Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea