Pneumonia (a serious infection of the lungs) occurs frequently after a stroke and leads to worse outcomes for patients. Despite modern stroke unit care and antibiotics, the chances of death are three times higher in stroke patients that develop pneumonia, compared to those that don’t. Pneumonia causes excessive, harmful inflammation in the lungs and bloodstream, which is thought to contribute to worse outcomes.

Clarithromycin is an antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties. A team led by Professor Craig Smith, stroke research theme lead, have been awarded funding from NIHR to undertake a phase 3, multi-centre, randomised trial of clarithromycin treatment for stroke patients developing pneumonia. The CLArithromycin for post-Stroke Pneumonia (CLASP) trial will take part in 45 stroke units across the UK and will enrol 1166 people hospitalised with a stroke complicated by pneumonia. The trial will determine whether addition of clarithromycin for 5 days to the usual antibiotic treatment received will improve clinical and health economic outcomes. CLASP is currently in the set-up phase and will start to enrol participating patients in early 2025. For more information contact craig.smith-2@manchester.ac.uk

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