Could viruses replace antibiotics for bladder infections in spinal cord injury?
NCT ID NCT06559618
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early-stage study tests whether a mixture of viruses (called phages) that specifically kill E. coli bacteria is safe for people with spinal cord injuries who have bacteria in their bladder. Thirty adults will receive the phage solution directly into the bladder twice daily for a week. The main goal is to check for side effects and see how the body handles the treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- bacteriophage therapy (viruses that target E. coli bacteria)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new way to control bladder bacteria in spinal cord injury patients without using antibiotics.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early (Phase 1) study with only 30 people, so it's mainly checking safety, not effectiveness. The therapy is personalized and may not work for everyone.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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About 30 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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Dec 2028
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.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Provision of signed and dated informed consent form. 2. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study. 3. Adult (\> age 18) with a diagnosis of Spinal Cord Injury/Disease (SCI/D) and neurogenic bladder. Eligible participants may include inpatients in the SCI care unit or outpatients receiving care at participating sites, regardless of the underlying cause of SCI (e.g., trauma, tumors or demyelinating). 4. ASB with E. coli present in a quantity of ≥ 104 CFU/mL. 5. Require an indwelling (transurethral or suprapubic) or intermittent catheterization for bladder drainage. 6. Women of childbearing potential and men with female partners of childbearing potential must use two forms of effective contraception during the study and for two weeks afterwards. 7. Participant will be hospitalized during the 7 days of treatment or will be willing to attend clinic visits either (a) daily for the 7 days of treatment, or (b) on Day 1 and Day 7 of dosing. On Day 1, the participant will receive in-person training on instillation of the IP into the bladder. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Unable to provide informed consent for themselves. 2. Received a new antibiotic expected to kill the Gram-negative organisms in the urine between initial enrollment urine culture and the time of randomization. 3. History of neutropenia, defined by ANC \< 1000 per µL within 6 months prior to screening. 4. History of organ transplantation. 5. Presence of a surgically modified bladder, except for a repaired ruptured bladder. 6. HIV with a CD4 count \< 200 cells per µL. 7. Unstable vital signs (e.g., fever, hypotension) 8. Symptoms of active urinary tract infection defined as fever, autonomic dysreflexia, generalized increase in spasticity, bladder spasms, new sweating, increase or change in lower abdominal pain, increase in burning or pain when passing urine, increase in burning or pain during catheterization, blood in the urine, or an increased sensation of urinary urgency (MedStar Health, Urinary Symptom Questionnaires for Neurogenic Bladder \[USQNB\]). The presence of any one of these symptoms, unless explained by a non-urinary or non-infectious condition, will be an exclusion criterion. 9. Known urinary obstruction. 10. Medical devices in the urinary tract (other than urinary catheters) 11. Unless deemed acceptable by the sponsor-investigator, prescription drugs, OTC medications and supplements that acidify the urine are excluded. 12. Stage 4 or greater chronic kidney disease 13. Pregnant or breastfeeding female 14. Three or more episodes of autonomic dysreflexia in prior 30 days; defined as those patients who have a SCI and who have had a documented sudden increase in systolic blood pressure of greater than 40 mmHg due to an irritation or stimulation (including bladder or bowel irritation) below the level of the SCI. Autonomic dysreflexia can include findings of hypertensive crisis or emergency, clinically significant bradycardia/tachycardia, severe headache or other severe reaction requiring an acute intervention. The sponsor-investigator will evaluate if a history of severe autonomic dysreflexia is suspected but not clearly identified. 15. In the opinion of the sponsor-investigator, medical or psychiatric illness that would interfere with participation such as active, severe, progressive, or uncontrolled hepatic, hematologic, gastrointestinal, endocrine, pulmonary, cardiac, or neurologic disease.
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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
2 sites. 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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Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
RECRUITINGHouston, Texas, 77030, United States
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Washington University in St Louis
RECRUITINGSt Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Serotonin precursor probed for spinal cord injury effects
- Breathing brief Low-Oxygen bursts may boost sleep apnea treatment
- Gut bacteria transplant tested against Antibiotic-Resistant urinary infections
- Pure oxygen tested as a switch for dormant nerves after spinal cord injury
- Spinal stimulation tested to help kids with spinal cord injuries sit taller
- Zapping the spine: a new hope for kids with paralysis?