title: Efficacy of ciprofloxacin for treatment of Brucella melitensis infections.
abstract: The effectiveness of treatment of human brucellosis caused by Brucella melitensis with ciprofloxacin alone was investigated in a prospective nonrandomized study. Subjects with central nervous system involvement, endocarditis, or severe renal dysfunction; children under 16 years of age; and pregnant women were excluded from the study. Of 19 patients, 16 completed the study; 7 were diagnosed as having acute systemic brucellosis, and 9 had acute brucella arthritis-diskitis. A rapid response to ciprofloxacin was seen in all 16 patients, but the blood cultures of 1 patient remained positive and the treatment was changed. During a 104-week follow-up period, 4 of the 15 responding patients relapsed or were reinfected within 8 to 32 weeks after completion of therapy. We conclude that treatment with ciprofloxacin alone, although effective for the acute symptoms, is associated with an appreciable rate of relapse; therefore, it should be given with other agents for treatment of brucellosis.
authors.affiliation: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: al-Sibai
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Halim
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: el-Shaker
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Qadri
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D002939:Ciprofloxacin