Plain-English translation of NCT05590455 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Phase 2 — Testing in a bigger group (up to a few hundred people) to see if the treatment actually works and is still safe.
This trial is testing whether adding adalimumab—a medication that reduces inflammation in the body—can improve survival in people living with HIV who develop tuberculosis meningitis, a dangerous infection around the brain and spinal cord. Half of participants will receive standard treatment (antibiotics and steroids) alone, while the other half will receive the same standard treatment plus the medication. Researchers want to see if this medication can help reduce death rates from this serious infection.
Tuberculosis meningitis is a life-threatening infection in people with HIV, and it still causes high death rates even with the best available antibiotics and steroids. Researchers believe that reducing harmful inflammation in the brain during treatment might help more patients survive, so they're testing whether this anti-inflammatory medication can make a difference.
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If you join this trial, you will receive standard tuberculosis meningitis treatment (antibiotics for 9 months and high-dose steroids for up to 4 weeks) in both arms. If you are randomly assigned to the medication arm, you will also receive 6 injections of the medication under your skin, given once every 2 weeks starting within the first 3 days of treatment. The trial will follow you for 3 months to see how well the treatment works and to monitor your safety. Researchers will also begin HIV treatment after 4 weeks (or up to 8 weeks) if you are clinically improving.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 3, 2026 · Not medical advice
Brazil
Mozambique
Zambia