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Using ultrasound to improve antibiotic treatment in infected burns: a feasibility study

Feasibility of ultrasound-activated microbubble–assisted topical antibiotic delivery in infected partial-thickness burns: a randomised controlled trial.

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ISRCTN
Registry ID
ISRCTN42000162
Enrollment
80
Registered
2026-02-17
Start date
2026-03-31
Completion date
Unknown
Last updated
2026-03-02

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Medical condition: Infected partial-thickness burn wounds (superficial to deep partial-thickness confluent wounds affecting <4% TBSA). Medical condition in lay language: Infections in small burn wounds — specifically partial-thickness burns that have become infected and require treatment during hospital admission. Therapeutic areas: Diseases [C] - Bacterial Infections and Mycoses [C01] Infections and Infestations

Interventions

This is a single-centre, randomised controlled feasibility study with four parallel arms (1:1:1:1). Participants are inpatient adult burn patients with clinically infected partial-thickness burns mana

Sponsors

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Lead Sponsor

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 100 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Adults aged =18 years. 2. Admitted to the regional burn unit at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. 3. Clinically infected superficial or partial-thickness thermal burn wounds (superficial to deep partial-thickness) affecting =4% total body surface area (TBSA). 4. “Clinically infected” is defined by clinical signs observed by the treating team (e.g. erythema, pain, swelling, purulence) and symptoms reported by the patient. 5. Able to provide informed consent and with mental capacity to understand the study requirements. 6. Inpatients with burns being managed without surgical grafting. 7. Patients who have undergone surgical debridement (e.g. Versajet) but not grafting are eligible. 8. Willing and able to comply with study procedures and follow-up during hospital admission.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: The participant may not enter the study if ANY of the following apply: Trial design–related: 1. Wounds involving >4% total body surface area (TBSA) 2. Full-thickness or chemical burns 3. Wounds requiring grafting as part of treatment 4. Participation in another clinical trial involving burn treatment or antibiotics Products: 1. Optilube: Known allergy or hypersensitivity to any component of Optilube 2. Luminity: Known allergy or hypersensitivity to any excipients in Luminity 3. Gentamicin: Known allergy or hypersensitivity to gentamicin or any of its excipients 4. Known contraindication to gentamicin use 5. Concomitant use of nephrotoxic or ototoxic medications 6. History of serious aminoglycoside toxicity 7. Pre-existing auditory or vestibular disease Ultrasound-related: 1. Presence of metallic implants within or near the treatment area (risk of heating) 2. Presence of other dermatoses in the treatment area (e.g. eczema, psoriasis) 3. Known or suspected pregnancy, or currently breastfeeding 4. Presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection 5. Myasthenia gravis 6. Current treatment with immune-modulating drugs (e.g. corticosteroids, anti-rejection therapy, chemotherapy)

Countries

United Kingdom

Contacts

Public ContactFadi Issa
fadi.issa@nhs.net+44 (0)1296 418140

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Mar 14, 2026