title: Doxycycline-rifampin versus doxycycline-rifampin-gentamicin in treatment of human brucellosis.
abstract: This prospective, non-randomized trial, compared the efficacy and tolerance of a doxycycline-rifampin regimen, administered for 45 days, versus doxycycline-rifampin given for 45 days plus gentamicin for the first 7-10 days, in the treatment of human brucellosis. Of 238 patients that were initially included in the study, 181 were finally evaluated. Ninety-four were treated with the doxycycline-rifampin and 87 with the doxycycline-rifampin-gentamicin regimens. In the doxycycline-rifampin group: relapses were noted in 13 (13.8%) patients; therapeutic failures in five (5.3%); and mild adverse effects in 28 (29.8%). In the doxycycline-rifampin-gentamicin group: four (4.6%) relapsed; and five (5.7%) therapeutic failures were registered. Mild adverse effects were registered in 29 (33.3%) patients. The doxycycline-rifampin-gentamicin regimen demonstrated a significantly lower relapse rate compared to the doxycycline-rifampin combination (P = 0.034). We conclude that adding gentamicin for the first 7-10 days to the standard oral doxycycline-rifampin regimen can decrease the rate of relapses.
authors.affiliation: University Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Conditions, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. milebos@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Bosilkovski
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mile
authors.forename: Kirova
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Valerija
authors.forename: Grozdanovski
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Krsto
authors.forename: Vidinic
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ivan
authors.forename: Demiri
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ilir
authors.forename: Labacevski
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nikola
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012293:Rifampin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005839:Gentamicins; D004318:Doxycycline; D012293:Rifampin