Time required for elimination of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from the urogenital tract in men with symptomatic urethritis: comparison of oral and intramuscular single-dose therapy.
OBJECTIVE
The spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including gonorrhea, is affected by the duration of infection. Oral antibiotic therapy for gonococcal infection has been shown to be as effective as conventional intramuscular injection with ceftriaxone. Rapid cure would be expected to limit further spread of gonorrhea. However, the speed with which Neisseria gonorrhoeae is eliminated from the urogenital tract has not been evaluated.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the time required for elimination of Neisseria gonorrhoeae for the urine, mucosa, and semen in male subjects after treatment with ceftriaxone (250 mg intramuscularly), ciprofloxacin (500 mg by mouth, single dose) or cefixime (400 mg by mouth, single dose.)


RESULTS
In 14 subjects, gonococci were eliminated from the urine within 4 hours of therapy and the mucosa within 24 hours after therapy. In 9 additional subjects, gonococci were eliminated from the semen by 24 hours after therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
These results support the efficacy of single-dose oral therapy for gonorrhea and suggest that earlier follow-up for proof of cure in clinical trials of new antibiotics for gonorrhea may be acceptable. Rapid elimination of gonorrhea reduces the risk for continued transmission of the organism.
Haizlip
J
J
Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7030, USA.
Isbey
S F
SF
Hamilton
H A
HA
Jerse
A E
AE
Leone
P A
PA
Davis
R H
RH
Cohen
M S
MS
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D020682:Cefixime; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002443:Ceftriaxone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000187:drug effects*; D012661:Semen / Q000382:microbiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014526:Urethritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000652:urine
D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D002443:Ceftriaxone; D020682:Cefixime; D002439:Cefotaxime