Could a simple antiseptic wash beat chest infections without surgery?
NCT ID NCT05546762
First seen Jun 30, 2026 · Last updated Jul 01, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether washing the infected chest cavity with povidone-iodine (an antiseptic) helps adults with pleural empyema recover faster than using normal saline alone. Participants receive chest tube drainage plus daily irrigation with either povidone-iodine or saline. The goal is to see if the antiseptic reduces inflammation and infection markers, potentially leading to quicker recovery and less need for surgery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- povidone-iodine solution
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this simple irrigation method could reduce the need for surgery and shorten hospital stays for people with pleural infections.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small early-phase study, so results may not apply broadly. Povidone-iodine could cause irritation or allergic reactions in some patients.
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 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
22 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Sep 2022
- Finished
-
May 2024
- Lead sponsor
-
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
-
18 to 99 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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: * Adults (18 year-old or more) * Pleural infection diagnosed by: the presence of pus in the pleural space, OR any of the following in the setting of acute lower-respiratory tract infection symptoms: pleural fluid PH\<7.2 or pleural fluid glucose \<40 mg/dL, positive gram stain or culture from pleural fluid * Predominantly unilocular pleural collection treated with chest tube drainage * Acute response at presentation as evidenced by fever (\>37.80C) and/or blood leucocytosis (\>11X103/mm3) and/or high serum C-reactive protein, CRP (\>50 mg/L) Exclusion Criteria: * Known or suspected thyroid disease * Allergy to iodine * Persistent large collection on follow-up imaging 24-48 post tube insertion that is deemed to require additional interventions (e.g., another drainage procedure, intrapleural fibrinolytic) * Evidence or suspicion of broncho-pleural fistula (suspected when there is air-fluid level without previous intervention, or if the participant is coughing large volume of purulent sputum that is physically similar to drained pleural fluid) * Tuberculous, post-operative or post-haemothorax pleural infections
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine
Alexandria, Egypt
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.