Comparison of fleroxacin and penicillin G plus probenecid in the treatment of acute uncomplicated gonococcal infections.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the activity of fleroxacin in acute uncomplicated infections with N. gonorrhoeae in comparison with conventional penicillin G plus probenecid treatment. DESIGN: Multicentre open label randomised parallel group study. SUBJECTS: Male patients aged 18 years or over from university departments of urology, epidemiology and dermatology and a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases. INTERVENTIONS: Two hundred and sixty male patients were randomly assigned to treatment with either a single oral dose of fleroxacin 400 mg (130 patients) or a single intramuscular dose of penicillin G (2.4 or 5.0 mega units) plus a single oral dose of probenecid 1 gram (130 patients). Efficacy and safety assessments were undertaken at follow-up (3-14 days after treatment). Efficacy was assessed as bacteriological outcome of treatment. Safety was assessed by evaluation of adverse events, laboratory abnormalities and changes in vital signs. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty four patients (114 in the fleroxacin group and 110 in the penicillin plus probenecid group) were evaluated for efficacy. Bacteriological cures were achieved in 100% of patients in the fleroxacin group and 97% of patients in the penicillin plus probenecid group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in this respect (Fisher exact test, p = 0.25). Clinical cures were achieved in 100% of patients receiving fleroxacin and 95% of patients receiving penicillin plus probenecid. Safety analyses were undertaken on 255 patients (126 in the fleroxacin group and 129 in the penicillin plus probenecid group). No adverse events were reported for either treatment group, and no clinically relevant laboratory abnormalities were apparent. Thus, there appeared to be no difference in the efficacy or safety of these two treatments when used to treat acute, uncomplicated urethral gonorrhoea in males. CONCLUSIONS: In this study fleroxacin proved to be highly effective therapy for uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis in males and may provide a favourable alternative to standard treatment.

[Stable solution of fuchsin--a new method for preparation of Ziehl-Neelsen staining]. / Solução estável de fucsina--novo método de preparação para coloração de Ziehl-Neelsen.

The fuchsin salts currently available in Latin American market have shown some instability when in solution, according to the classic Ziehl-Neelsen method, resulting in a total precipitation of the salt. The authors indicate a new technique for the preparation of this solution, in order to minimize the action of interfering factors responsible for the precipitation, obtaining thus a greater solubility of the salt, as well as the solution stability. The method effectiveness is reinforced by the utilization of a smaller amount of the salt and the attainment of a larger storage period for the solution.

Thiamphenicol in the treatment of male gonococcal urethritis: a study of 1,230 cases.

Thiamphenicol, an aminic derivative of hydrocarbilsulfonylpropandiol, was used for the treatment of acute, uncomplicated, gonococcal urethritis in 1,446 male patients. Each patient received one oral dose of 2.5 g of thiamphenicol, which was readministered after 48-72 hr if Neisseria gonorrhoeae continued to be present in urethral smears. Of the 1,446 patients treated, 1,230 patients underwent posttreatment evaluation at 48-72 hrs and at seven days. Twenty-eight patients (2.3%) did not respond to treatment; treatment was successful in 1,140 patients (92.7%) after only one dose, and in 62 (5.0%) after two doses. The overall rate of treatment success was 97.7%. Of 352 patients evaluated one month after treatment, serologic tests in 41 (12.6%) were positive for syphilis.

Minute treatment with thiamphenicol in water for acute gonococcal urethritis in male patients.

Eighty-two male patients with acute gonococcal urethritis were given a single oral dose of 2.5 g of granulated thiamphenicol dissolved in water, and the results of treatment were evaluated after 48-72 hr and one week. Of the 76 patients who returned for the first follow-up examination, 75 (98.7%) no longer had Neisseria gonorrhoeae in urethral smears or cultures. Five of these patients did not return for the second follow-up examination, and another four who did return were found to be reinfected as a result of reexposure. Of the remaining 67 patients, 66 (98.5%) no longer had N. gonorrhoeae in urethral smears or cultures. Thus, the overall success rate among the 71 patients who completed the study (with the four cases of reinfection considered instances of failure of therapy) was 93%. The ease of administration, absence of adverse reactions, low failure rate, and low incidence of residual urethral secretions (4.5%) justify the use of thiamphenicol as the drug of choice for the treatment of acute gonococcal urethritis in male patients.

Talidomida: uma revisao da literatura / Thalidomide: a review of the literature

Procedeu-se a uma reuniao bibliografica extensiva sobre a talidomida, em seus aspectos farmacologicos, metabolicos, teratogenicidade e especialmente quanto as suas aplicacoes terapeuticas em Dermatologia, destacando-se o uso na reacao hansenica