Response of HIV-infected patients with syphilis to therapy with penicillin or intravenous ceftriaxone.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Ceftriaxone is commonly used as an alternative antibiotic drug in treating syphilis but clinical data on its efficacy are limited.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the response of HIV-infected patients with active syphilis to treatment with penicillin or ceftriaxone.

METHODS:

A retrospective study involving 24 consecutive patients with a positive Veneral Disease Research Laboratory test (VDRL) and at least one specific treponemal test. 12 patients were treated with different regimens of high-dose penicillin G for at least 2 weeks. Another 12 patients were treated with ceftriaxone 1-2g per day intravenously for 10-21 days.

RESULTS:

After a median follow up of 18,3 months all patients of the penicillin-treated group and 11 of 12 ceftriaxone-treated patients showed a ≥ 4-fold decline in VDRL-titers; 91% of them already within 6 months after therapy.

CONCLUSION:

Our serological data demonstrate a comparable efficacy of currently recommened penicillin and ceftriaxone treatment regimens for active syphilis in HIV-infected patients.

• Authors: Petra Spornraft-Ragaller, S Abraham, C Lueck, M Meurer
• Journal: European journal of medical research (Eur J Med Res) Vol. 16 Issue 2 Pg. 47-51 (Feb 24 2011) ISSN: 0949-2321 [Print] England
• PMID: 21463980 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Penicillins
• Ceftriaxone

Topics

• Adult
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Ceftriaxone (therapeutic use)
• HIV Infections (blood, complications, drug therapy)
• Humans
• Injections, Intravenous
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neurosyphilis (blood, complications, drug therapy)
• Penicillins (therapeutic use)
• Retrospective Studies
• Syphilis Serodiagnosis
• Treatment Outcome