Immunomodulation Therapy for Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTI) represent one of the most common morbidities in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and reason for re-hospitalization. The consequences of recurrent UTI are a decrease in quality of life and considerable health costs. Immunomodulation therapy with UroVaxom is a very promising method for the prevention of UTI, however data in individuals with SCI are very limited. The primary objective of this pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility (recruitment rate, patient attrition, compliance, assessment procedures etc.) of a main trial. A secondary objective is to collect data for an informed sample size calculation. Furthermore, the clinical and biological changes after immunomodulation therapy will be investigated. This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, mono-centric pilot study investigating the feasibility of a main trial regarding the effectiveness of immunomodulation with UroVaxom in the prevention of UTI and the effect on the immune system in individuals with acute SCI during primary rehabilitation. There will be two parallel groups of 12 participants each. Group allocation will be based on a block-randomization stratified according to sex. Study participants and outcome assessors will be blinded to the group allocation. The nursing staff will be unblinded and will administer the treatment and the placebo. Study participants will either receive Uro-Vaxom (one tablet / day) or an off-the-shelf placebo for 90 days. After termination of the treatment, the study participants will be followed for 12 months. Blood and urine samples will be taken before and 90 days, 6 months and 12 months after treatment start.