title: Why sulfonamides are contraindicated in Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
abstract: Sulfonamide antibiotics are not effective for the treatment of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). Patients suspected of having RMSF based on history and physical exam should be treated with doxycycline and not a sulfonamide to avoid increased morbidity and mortality.
authors.forename: Vicky
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: Baylor College of Medicine. shsu@bcm.edu.
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hsu
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D000075202:Contraindications; D004094:Dihydropteroate Synthase / Q000235:genetics; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D012284:Rickettsia rickettsii / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D012373:Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000378:metabolism; D013762:Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013449:Sulfonamides; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D013762:Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase; D004094:Dihydropteroate Synthase