Doxycycline therapy for leptospirosis.

Abstract

To study antibiotic efficacy, 29 patients with leptospirosis were treated in a randomized, double-blinded fashion with doxycycline, 100 mg orally twice a day, or placebo. Therapy was given for 7 days in a hospital, and patients were followed for 3 weeks afterwards. Duration of illness before therapy and severity of illness were the same in both groups. Doxycycline reduced the duration of illness by 2 days and favorably affected fever, malaise, headache, and myalgias. Treatment prevented leptospiruria and had no adverse effects. Doxycycline is effective in therapy for patients with leptospirosis.

• Authors: J B McClain, W R Ballou, S M Harrison, D L Steinweg
• Journal: Annals of internal medicine (Ann Intern Med) Vol. 100 Issue 5 Pg. 696-8 (May 1984) ISSN: 0003-4819 [Print] United States
• PMID: 6712032 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Doxycycline

Topics

• Double-Blind Method
• Doxycycline (therapeutic use)
• Drug Evaluation
• Humans
• Leptospirosis (drug therapy)
• Military Medicine
• Random Allocation