Trimethoprim and rifampin in combination for chemoprophylaxis of household contacts of patients with invasive infections due to Haemophilus influenzae type b.
We compared the effectiveness of rifampin-trimethoprim in fixed combination (3.75:1) to rifampin alone in the eradication of Haemophilus influenzae type b carriage among contacts of patients with invasive infection caused by this organism. The study population was composed of 127 index patients and 620 contacts. Twenty-six percent of contacts were colonized. Rifampin-trimethoprim eradicated carriage in 77.6% of contacts (71.1% in contacts less than 5 years, 84.2% in contacts greater than or equal to 5 years) whereas rifampin eradicated carriage in 69.9% of contacts (56.4% in contacts less than 5 years, 81.8% in contacts greater than or equal to 5 years). A single isolate resistant to rifampin and rifampin-trimethoprim was encountered. The eradication rate achieved with this regimen of rifampin-trimethoprim was too low to recommend its routine use. However, a higher dose or longer course might merit clinical trial.
D002353:Carrier State; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012293:Rifampin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014295:Trimethoprim / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014295:Trimethoprim; D012293:Rifampin