Using advanced sequencing to improve treatment for urinary tract infections

Clinical Implication of Next Generation Sequencing of Urinary Bacteria in Patients With Low Colony Forming Units of Bacteria in Traditional Urine Culture

PHASE4 · Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NCT05206500

This study is testing if new lab techniques can help women with urinary tract infections get better antibiotic treatment, especially when their urine tests show low levels of bacteria.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexFemale
SponsorWake Forest University Health Sciences (other)
Locations1 site (Winston-Salem, North Carolina)
Trial IDNCT05206500 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the clinical implications of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for detecting bacteria in urine samples from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs). It aims to provide better antibiotic sensitivity testing for women with a urinary culture growth of less than 10,000 Colony-Forming Units (CFU), a group often overlooked in traditional testing methods. By comparing these advanced techniques to standard culture methods, the study seeks to enhance treatment options for patients who currently lack guidance for appropriate antibiotic therapy.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are females aged 18 and older with urinary culture growth of less than 10,000 CFU.

Not a fit: Patients with a catheter in use or those who have consumed antibiotics in the past two weeks may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to more effective and tailored antibiotic treatments for patients with low-level urinary tract infections.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using advanced sequencing techniques for bacterial detection, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Female at least 18 years of age
* U/C (Urinary Culture) growth of \<10,000 Colony-Forming Units (CFU)
* Understanding and acceptance of the need to return for all scheduled follow-up visits
* Able to give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Catheter in use (Foley or suprapubic or intermittent)
* Not able to provide clean midstream urine
* Antibiotic consumption in the past 2 weeks before signing the consent
* Pregnant or Planning to Conceive
* Incarcerated

Where this trial is running

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Urinary Tract Infections

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.