The Makerere University Lung Institute (MLI) has announced landmark findings that could transform the treatment of childhood pneumonia across Africa.
Revealed ahead of the institute’s 10-year anniversary, the results of the PediCAP clinical trial show that children with severe community-acquired pneumonia can safely transition from injectable to oral antibiotics early during hospitalization, and that shorter treatment durations are just as effective.
The trial, which ran from 2020 to 2023 across five African countries Uganda, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique enrolled 1,100 children aged 2 months to 6 years.
It found that children who improved after initial injectable antibiotics could be safely switched to oral medications and discharged earlier, potentially reducing both healthcare costs and risks associated with long hospital stays.
Lead investigator Dr. Victor Musiime describes the findings as a potential game-changer.
“Our results show that it is both safe and effective to switch from injectable to oral antibiotics once a child improves instead of continuing with injectable antibiotics for the WHO-recommended five days,” he said. “We also found that shorter courses of treatment four or five days work just as well as longer ones. This reduces hospital stays, costs, and supports better antibiotic use,” Musiime noted.
The study comes at a critical time, as pneumonia remains the leading infectious cause of death among children under five in sub-Saharan Africa.
Current World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommend five days of injectable antibiotics, necessitating long hospital stays, which can be burdensome for families and health systems alike.
Makerere Lung Institute Deputy Director Dr. Rebecca Nantanda hailed the research as a shining example of African-led, collaborative health innovation.
“This is a strong example of collaborative research producing evidence that will directly improve the lives of African children,” she said. “It shows what we can achieve when we invest in research that is grounded in our realities.”
The trial also confirmed that amoxicillin, a widely available and affordable antibiotic, is as effective as the more expensive amoxicillin-clavulanate, further strengthening the case for simplified, cost-effective treatment protocols.
Dr. Damalie Nalwanga, a pediatrician involved in the study, emphasized the broader impact:
“This approach frees up beds in our hospitals for other sick children and reduces unnecessary exposure to antibiotics which drives antimicrobial resistance. It’s safer, cheaper, and easier for children and their families.”
As MLI prepares to mark a decade of advancing lung health in November 2025, the PediCAP trial stands out as a milestone achievement in its growing legacy.
“MLI is proud to be at the forefront of child health research in Africa,” said Dr. Nantanda. “This is just the beginning we are looking ahead to the next decade with even greater ambition.”
The findings are expected to inform updates to pneumonia treatment guidelines and clinical practices across the continent, offering renewed hope in the fight against one of Africa’s deadliest childhood diseases.