Effectiveness of aztreonam, a new monobactam antibiotic, against penicillin-resistant gonococci.

Abstract

Since the recognition of penicillinase-producing strains of N gonorrhoeae (PPNG) in 1976, these organisms have attained a worldwide distribution. The treatment of choice for infection due to PPNG has generally been spectinomycin administered im. In 1981, however, an infection from California was reported to be due to a strain of PPNG that was also resistant to spectinomycin (MIC, greater than 2,048 micrograms/ml) [1]. Throughout 1982, seven such isolates were reported worldwide [2], and in January 1983 an epidemiologically linked series of 27 cases of infection due to spectinomycin-resistant PPNG occurred in Korea. Because of the apparent declining utility of spectinomycin, we studied the efficacy and safety of aztreonam, a synthetic monobactam antibiotic from the Squibb Institute for Medical Research (Princeton, NJ) [3], in the treatment of acute uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis in men. Men with gonococcal urethritis were randomly treated with either 1 g of aztreonam or 2 g of spectinomycin im. Of the 112 men so treated, 93 could ultimately be evaluated: 51 who received aztreonam and 42 who received spectinomycin. Both drugs were 100% effective in the treatment of urethritis produced by both penicillin-sensitive and penicillin-resistant strains of gonococci. Furthermore, there were no reported side effects in either group and no laboratory abnormalities attributable to the aztreonam, with the exception of one patient with a minimally elevated level of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase and alkaline phosphatase levels were normal).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

• Authors: L K Miller, P L Sanchez, S W Berg, S B Kerbs, W O Harrison
• Journal: The Journal of infectious diseases (J Infect Dis) Vol. 148 Issue 3 Pg. 612 (Sep 1983) ISSN: 0022-1899 [Print] United States
• PMID: 6225808 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Spectinomycin
• Aztreonam

Topics

• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Aztreonam
• Drug Evaluation
• Gonorrhea (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Neisseria gonorrhoeae (drug effects)
• Penicillin Resistance
• Spectinomycin (therapeutic use)
• Urethritis (drug therapy)