Study to tackle recurrent urinary tract infections recruiting now

A new UK-wide study aiming to improve treatment for women with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) is being co-ordinated by Cardiff University’s Centre for Trials Research, which is funded by Health and Care Research Wales.

The VESPER (intravesical preparations for recurrent urinary tract infection prevention) trial is looking to evaluate alternative treatment strategies for recurrent uncomplicated urinary tract infections (rUTIs) in women and is now open to recruitment. 

The aim is to enrol 412 women aged 16 and over who experience frequent, uncomplicated UTIs that have not responded to first-line antibiotic treatments. 

Women seen in a hospital urology or urogynaecology clinic with rUTI who have not improved after first-line antibiotic treatment will be invited to take part.

According to previous research, about half of women will get at least one UTI during their lifetime and about 40 per cent of women will get another UTI within a year.

VESPER, which is funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), will compare two bladder-administered therapies, gentamicin and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) replacement, with the current standard second-line care of daily low-dose antibiotic prophylaxis.

Dr Emma Thomas-Jones, Principal Research Fellow and Deputy Director of Infections Inflammation and Immunity Division at the Centre for Trials Research, is the Principal Investigator alongside co-investigator, Dr David Gillespie, Principal Research Fellow and Director of Infection, Inflammation and Immunity Trials at Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University.

Chief Investigator, Professor Chris Harding, Consultant Urological Surgeon at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“This study offers a vital opportunity to explore more effective and sustainable treatments for a condition that significantly impacts the quality of life for thousands of women.”

The research is sponsored by Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and will be delivered across 20 sites in the UK and is open to recruitment until 30 September 2026.

For more information or to express interest in taking part, contact the VESPER team.

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