ABSTRACT
The efficacy and safety of a single 1 g oral dose of azithromycin was evaluated in 100 male patients with non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU). Enrolled were men with > or = 5 polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL)/high power field (HPF) (x 1000 magnification) in a Gram-stained smear of urethral discharge with or without symptoms and signs of NGU. Of the 66 evaluable patients, Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from 18 cases (27.3%) and Ureaplasma urealyticum from 12 cases (18.2%). After treatment, signs and symptoms disappeared from 59 cases (89.4%). Forty-four cases (66.7%) showed reduced PMNL/HPF. C. trachomatis was eradicated in 18 cases (100%) and U. urealyticum in 12 cases (83.3%). One patient complained of mild dizziness, moderate nausea, and palpitations. Single 1 g oral dose of azithromycin appears to be effective and safe for treating chlamydial, non-chlamydial, and ureaplasmal NGU. In addition, its ease of use encourages patient compliance.
Subject(s)
Administration, Oral , Adolescent , Adult , Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage , Azithromycin/administration & dosage , Chlamydia Infections/drug therapy , Chlamydia trachomatis/isolation & purification , Humans , Male , Ureaplasma Infections/drug therapy , Ureaplasma urealyticum/isolation & purification , Urethritis/drug therapyABSTRACT
From May 1995 to May 1996, thirty-six females with chlamydial cervicitis were enrolled at Bangrak Hospital's Venereal Disease Clinic in an open study to assess the efficacy and safety of a single, 1-gram oral dose of azithromycin. Thirty-five had positive C. trachomatis and one had a positive Gen-probe test. Twenty-two returned for their first and second follow-ups and 18 came back for their final follow-up (visit 4). Eradication rate was 100 per cent on all visits. Fourteen patients were excluded from the final analysis- three had dropped out from the beginning, ten had sexual intercourse without a condom and one had a positive Gen-probe test but negative C. trachomatis culture. U. urealyticum was isolated from the vaginal wall of 15 of the 36 cases and eradication rate was 0 per cent at visit 2 and visit 4. In conclusion, this study shows that a single, 1-gram oral dose of azithromycin is an effective and well-tolerated alternative therapy for chlamydial cervicitis.