title: Randomized trial of azithromycin in the prophylaxis of Mediterranean spotted fever.
abstract: A randomized clinical trial was undertaken to compare clinical and serologic parameters of the efficacy of one-dose azithromycin in the prophylaxis of Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) in 122 persons with a tick bite history. Antibodies to Rickettsia conorii (R. conorii) were detected by indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) assay in 55 (45.1%) of 122 subjects. Positive result was obtained in 19 (31.1%) of 61 subjects with azithromycin prophylaxis and in 36 (59.0%) of 61 subjects without prophylaxis. Clinical signs and symptoms of MSF were recorded in 6 (9.8%) and asymptomatic infection in 30 (49.2%) of 61 subjects without prophylaxis. In subjects with prophylaxis, clinical signs of the disease were not recorded at all, whereas asymptomatic infection was detected in 19 (31.1%) of 61 subjects. Based on the results obtained in our study, we assume that a single dose of azithromycin is promising in MSF prevention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Zadar General Hospital, 23000 Zadar, Croatia.
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dzelalija
authors.forename: Miro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petrovec
authors.forename: Tatjana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Avsic-Zupanc
authors.forename: Jadranka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strugar
authors.forename: Tatjana Anić
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Milić
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications; D001907:Boutonneuse Fever / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D020114:Rickettsia conorii / Q000276:immunology; D013987:Ticks
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D017963:Azithromycin