Treatment of gonococcal conjunctivitis with a single intramuscular injection of cefotaxime.

Abstract

Between 25% and 50% of children in African countries are exposed to Neisseria gonorrhoeae at birth and are at risk of developing gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum. The problem is aggravated by the emergence of penicillinase-producing strains of N. gonorrhoeae (PPNG). Twenty-one children (9 boys, 12 girls, mean age 13 days) presenting with gonococcal conjunctivitis were identified during a 47-month period. Nineteen children received a single im injection of 100 mg/kg cefotaxime (maximum dose 1 g) without topical antibiotic therapy. One neonate with concurrent otitis media was treated with cefotaxime for five days and a 17-month old girl received two im injections because of the severity of her symptoms. Eight patients (38%) had received previous antibiotic therapy (penicillin im and/or tetracycline eye ointment). Twelve isolates of N. gonorrhoeae were found to be PPNG strains. At three to seven day follow-up examination all 21 patients were clinically cured without residual eye damage. Cefotaxime offers an effective first line treatment for gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum in areas where there is a high prevalence of PPNG strains. The advantages of a single-dose treatment over multidose regimens in terms of compliance and cost are discussed.

• Authors: P Lepage, P Kestelyn, J Bogaerts
• Journal: The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy (J Antimicrob Chemother) Vol. 26 Suppl A Pg. 23-7 (Sep 1990) ISSN: 0305-7453 [Print] England
• PMID: 2228841 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cefotaxime

Topics

• Cefotaxime (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Injections, Intramuscular
• Male
• Ophthalmia Neonatorum (drug therapy)