Grant: Project Grant

Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that can cause infection of the skin and underlying tissues, bones, lungs and heart valves. Its ability to spread throughout the body via the bloodstream is one of its most significant traits. As a result, treating these infections quickly and appropriately is very important. Many kinds of antibiotics are used to treat S. aureus bloodstream infections. However, the optimal treatment for S. aureus bloodstream infections has not been determined in children. This study aims to find out which of the antibiotics currently used work best in pediatric populations. The Staphylococcus aureus Network Adaptive Platform trial for Paediatrics and Youth (SNAPPY) is a type of study known as an adaptive clinical trial. In this type of study, the researchers analyze the results as the study goes on rather than just at the end. If the results show any of the treatments do not work as well as others, they will be dropped from the study. SNAP-PY incorporates neonates, children and adolescents into the established S. aureus Network Adaptive Platform (SNAP) trial, the largest, global study on the treatment of S. aureus bloodstream infections. By including children, this is the world's first platform to randomize children and adults in a simultaneous adult-paediatric whole-of-life clinical trial. Our study, SNAP-PY, will have 2 domains in which the child will be randomly allocated: 1) the child will be allocated to a main treatment depending on antibiotic sensitivity of the germ causing their infection; 2) will be allocated to have clindamycin, known to stop S. aureus germs from making toxins, added to their main treatment, or not. The results of the proposed study will help standardize treatment of S. aureus bloodstream infections by providing evidence for treatment guidelines, effectively driving global practice. This will result in reductions in morbidity and mortality so that children can spend more time at home than in hospital.