New spinal fluid test may spot brain infections faster
NCT ID NCT06482463
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at whether measuring a substance called D-lactate in spinal fluid can help doctors diagnose meningitis (a brain infection) in patients who have a brain drain (ventriculostomy). About 185 adults with suspected meningitis will have their spinal fluid tested. The goal is to see if D-lactate is more accurate than current tests, which could lead to faster and better treatment.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 185 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Feb 2025
- Expected to finish
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Feb 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ⩾ 18 years. * Patient with an external ventriculostomy implanted at the Toulouse University Hospital. * Patient suspected of nosocomial meningitis due to a febrile syndrome (in the absence of any other identified infectious site), headache, nausea, lethargy, change in neurological status, meningeal syndrome, epileptic event and cutaneous or subcutaneous inflammation at the ventriculostomy site of insertion. * Patient having expressed oral consent, after free and informed information. * Patient affiliated to a social security scheme. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of community meningitis. * Proven or suspected meningitis and/or ventriculitis during the previous month. * Diagnosis of nosocomial meningitis made in another medical centre prior to admission. * Short bowel syndrome. * Acute mesenteric ischaemia. * End-stage renal failure (GFR \< 15 ml/min/m2). * Peritoneal dialysis. * Patient participating in another research protocol with an exclusion period still in progress. * Pregnant or breastfeeding woman. * Patient under guardianship or trusteeship, persons placed under the protection of justice
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Toulouse Hospital
RECRUITINGToulouse, France
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