Equivalence of ceftriaxone and rifampicin in eliminating nasopharyngeal carriage of serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis.
The efficacy of ceftriaxone in eliminating nasopharyngeal carriage of Neisseria meningitidis was compared with that of rifampicin during an epidemic of serogroup B meningococcal disease in Auckland, New Zealand. Household contacts of cases had a throat swab taken and were randomized to treatment. Carriers had a repeat swab taken 6 days later to determine efficacy of treatment. Ceftriaxone (98.2%) was equivalent to rifampicin (97.6%) in eliminating serogroup B N. meningitidis. It is cheaper than rifampicin and has the advantage of full compliance and fewer contraindications, but its acceptability by patients may limit its use as a first-line prophylactic agent.
Simmons
G
G
Auckland Healthcare Public Health Protection, Auckland, New Zealand. gregs@ahsl.co.nz
Jones
N
N
Calder
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000904:Antibiotics, Antitubercular / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D002443:Ceftriaxone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis; D012293:Rifampin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012703:Serotyping
D000904:Antibiotics, Antitubercular; D002511:Cephalosporins; D002443:Ceftriaxone; D012293:Rifampin