title: A randomized comparison of oral chloramphenicol versus ofloxacin in the treatment of uncomplicated typhoid fever in Laos.
abstract: We conducted a randomized open trial of oral chloramphenicol (50mg/kg/day in four divided doses for 14 days) versus ofloxacin (15 mg/kg/day in two divided doses for 3 days) in 50 adults with culture-confirmed uncomplicated typhoid fever in Vientiane, Laos. Patients had been ill for a median (range) of 8 (2-30) days. All Salmonella enterica serotype typhi isolates were nalidixic acid-sensitive, four (8%) were chloramphenicol-resistant and three (6%) were multidrug-resistant. Median (range) fever clearance times were 90 (24-224) hours in the chloramphenicol group and 54 (6-93) hours in the ofloxacin group (P<0.001). One patient in the chloramphenicol group developed an ileal perforation. Three days ofloxacin was more effective than 14 days chloramphenicol for the in-patient treatment of typhoid fever, irrespective of antibiotic susceptibility, and was of similar cost.
authors.affiliation: Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos.
authors.forename: Simmaly
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Phongmany
authors.forename: Rattanaphone
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Phetsouvanh
authors.forename: Siho
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sisouphone
authors.forename: Chirapha
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Darasavath
authors.forename: Pankham
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vongphachane
authors.forename: Oudayvone
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rattanavong
authors.forename: Mayfong
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mayxay
authors.forename: Andrew C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ramsay
authors.forename: Stuart D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Blacksell
authors.forename: Chanpheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thammavong
authors.forename: Bounkong
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Syhavong
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Paul N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Newton
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002701:Chloramphenicol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007812:Laos / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014435:Typhoid Fever / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002701:Chloramphenicol; D015242:Ofloxacin