Latency Antibiotics in Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes: A Comparison of Azithromycin Regimens.

BACKGROUND: Treatment with antibiotics at the time of preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) has been shown to prolong pregnancy. Due to the recurrent shortage of erythromycin, azithromycin has been substituted in the traditional regimen; however, there are little data on optimal dosing. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether there is a difference in latency from onset of PPROM to delivery in patients who received a single dose of azithromycin compared with a 5-day course. METHODS: This was a single-center, multisite, retrospective, IRB approved analysis of patients admitted with a diagnosis of PPROM. Patients were included if rupture occurred between 22 0/7 and 33 6/7 weeks of gestation and received either a single dose or a 5-day course of azithromycin along with a beta lactam. RESULTS: A total of 376 patients were reviewed with 296 patients included in the final analysis. There was no statistical difference in the primary outcome of latency days in patients who received the 5-day versus the single-dose course (4 vs 5 days, P = 0.641). There was a significantly higher rate of histologic chorioamnionitis in the single-dose course of azithromycin (46.4% vs 62.6%, P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: There was no difference in latency for patients who received a 5-day course of azithromycin versus a single dose for the treatment of PPROM. A higher rate of histologic chorioamnionitis was observed in those who received the single-day course. Prospective follow-up studies are needed to confirm these findings.

A Rare Case of Neurosyphilis with Calvaria Osteitis Presenting in Pregnancy.

Background: The incidence of syphilis throughout the world is increasing. Rates in pregnancy are similarly rising, presenting risks of an untreated syphilis infection that can be detrimental to the mother and fetus. Although routine screening for syphilis infections is recommended at the initial prenatal visit, there is a lack of universal agreement on rescreening pregnant people and approximately 50% of syphilis cases are asymptomatic in the general population. Furthermore, some symptoms of syphilis can overlap with nonspecific pregnancy-related symptoms. Meanwhile, Treponema pallidum can spread to various maternal and fetoplacental tissues quickly after infection and occur at any stage of syphilis. Case: A 26-year-old gravida 5 para 2 presented with a new onset headache and visual and auditory changes at 23 weeks of gestation. A computerized tomography scan revealed numerous ill-defined lytic lesions throughout the calvarium, suspicious for syphilitic osteitis. She tested positive for syphilis antibodies with a rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titer of 1 : 32. Cerebrospinal fluid evaluation from a lumbar puncture resulted in reactive fluorescent treponemal antibody (FTA) testing. She was diagnosed with secondary syphilis with osteitis and neuro and otic components. She completed 14 days of intravenous aqueous crystalline penicillin G with additional benzathine penicillin G 2.4 million units intramuscular weekly for two weeks. There was no evidence of congenital syphilis on neonatal examination. Conclusion: Syphilitic osteitis and neuro, otic, or ocular syphilis infections occur rarely in the nonpregnant population, and therefore, little data in pregnancy is available to inform outcomes in these specific disease states. It is of paramount importance to complete appropriate syphilis screening, recognize symptoms, and consider utilizing rescreen protocols to ensure prompt infection identification and treatment. For neuro, otic, and ocular syphilis, aqueous crystalline penicillin G (as opposed to benzathine penicillin G) is required to achieve treponemicidal concentrations in those physiologic compartments. There is no agreement as to the appropriate treatment regimen for the rare finding of syphilitic osteitis.