Retreatment rates for uncomplicated gonorrhea infection: comparing ceftriaxone and azithromycin versus ceftriaxone and doxycycline. 2013

Christina M Schumacher, and Khalil G Ghanem
Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. cschuma3@jhmi.edu

BACKGROUND The current recommended first-line regimen to treat gonorrhea is ceftriaxone in combination with either azithromycin or doxycycline. Azithromycin is the preferred second agent. We retrospectively measured and compared gonorrhea retreatment rates between patients receiving ceftriaxone plus azithromycin and those receiving ceftriaxone plus doxycycline. METHODS Using data from public sexually transmitted disease clinics for patients treated for gonorrhea in Baltimore, Maryland, between January 2004 and December 2011, we measured time to retreatment from the date the ceftriaxone regimen was received. Censoring occurred on the earlier of 2 years posttreatment or March 31, 2012. Survival analysis methods were used to compare retreatment rates. RESULTS One tenth (9.9%; n = 4457) of patients were retreated within 2 years. Treatment regimen was not related to time to retreatment (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.69-1.12). Patients receiving expedited partner therapy (EPT) were 45% less likely to be retreated (aHR, 0.55 [0.31-0.96]) compared with patients treated before EPT became available. A subanalysis among patients retested for gonorrhea within 90 and 30 days found retreatment rates of 18.8% (n = 91/485) and 13.5% (n = 19/140), respectively. The 90-day cohort showed no association with treatment regimen (aHR, 0.95 [0.55-1.65]); however, all of the retreated patients in the 30-day cohort had received the doxycycline regimen. CONCLUSIONS Gonorrhea retreatment was common, highlighting the need for rescreening and better partner therapies. The protective effect of EPT further underscores the need for effective oral therapies. Azithromycin may be preferable as the second agent to treat gonorrhea, although doxycycline seems to be a reasonable alternative.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009344 Neisseria gonorrhoeae A species of gram-negative, aerobic bacteria primarily found in purulent venereal discharges. It is the causative agent of GONORRHEA. Diplococcus gonorrhoeae,Gonococcus,Gonococcus neisseri,Merismopedia gonorrhoeae,Micrococcus der gonorrhoe,Micrococcus gonococcus,Micrococcus gonorrhoeae
D002443 Ceftriaxone A broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic and cefotaxime derivative with a very long half-life and high penetrability to meninges, eyes and inner ears. Benaxona,Cefatriaxone,Cefaxona,Ceftrex,Ceftriaxon,Ceftriaxon Curamed,Ceftriaxon Hexal,Ceftriaxona Andreu,Ceftriaxona LDP Torlan,Ceftriaxone Irex,Ceftriaxone Sodium,Ceftriaxone Sodium, Anhydrous,Ceftriaxone, Disodium Salt,Ceftriaxone, Disodium Salt, Hemiheptahydrate,Lendacin,Longacef,Longaceph,Ro 13-9904,Ro-13-9904,Ro13-9904,Rocefalin,Rocefin,Rocephin,Rocephine,Tacex,Terbac,Anhydrous Ceftriaxone Sodium,Ro 13 9904,Ro 139904,Ro13 9904,Ro139904
D004318 Doxycycline A synthetic tetracycline derivative with similar antimicrobial activity. 2-Naphthacenecarboxamide, 4-(dimethylamino)-1,4,4a,5,5a,6,11,12a-octahydro-3,5,10,12,12a-pentahydroxy-6-methyl-1,11-dioxo-, (4S-(4alpha,4aalpha,5alpha,5aalpha,6alpha,12aalpha))-,Alpha-6-Deoxyoxytetracycline,Atridox,BMY-28689,BU-3839T,Doryx,Doxycycline Calcium,Doxycycline Calcium Salt (1:2),Doxycycline Hemiethanolate,Doxycycline Hyclate,Doxycycline Monohydrate,Doxycycline Monohydrochloride, 6-epimer,Doxycycline Monohydrochloride, Dihydrate,Doxycycline Phosphate (1:1),Doxycycline-Chinoin,Hydramycin,Oracea,Periostat,Vibra-Tabs,Vibramycin,Vibramycin Novum,Vibravenos,Alpha 6 Deoxyoxytetracycline,BMY 28689,BMY28689,BU 3839T,BU3839T,Doxycycline Chinoin,Doxycycline Monohydrochloride, 6 epimer,Vibra Tabs
D004359 Drug Therapy, Combination Therapy with two or more separate preparations given for a combined effect. Combination Chemotherapy,Polychemotherapy,Chemotherapy, Combination,Combination Drug Therapy,Drug Polytherapy,Therapy, Combination Drug,Chemotherapies, Combination,Combination Chemotherapies,Combination Drug Therapies,Drug Polytherapies,Drug Therapies, Combination,Polychemotherapies,Polytherapies, Drug,Polytherapy, Drug,Therapies, Combination Drug
D005260 Female Females
D006069 Gonorrhea Acute infectious disease characterized by primary invasion of the urogenital tract. The etiologic agent, NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE, was isolated by Neisser in 1879. Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infection
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000900 Anti-Bacterial Agents Substances that inhibit the growth or reproduction of BACTERIA. Anti-Bacterial Agent,Anti-Bacterial Compound,Anti-Mycobacterial Agent,Antibacterial Agent,Antibiotics,Antimycobacterial Agent,Bacteriocidal Agent,Bacteriocide,Anti-Bacterial Compounds,Anti-Mycobacterial Agents,Antibacterial Agents,Antibiotic,Antimycobacterial Agents,Bacteriocidal Agents,Bacteriocides,Agent, Anti-Bacterial,Agent, Anti-Mycobacterial,Agent, Antibacterial,Agent, Antimycobacterial,Agent, Bacteriocidal,Agents, Anti-Bacterial,Agents, Anti-Mycobacterial,Agents, Antibacterial,Agents, Antimycobacterial,Agents, Bacteriocidal,Anti Bacterial Agent,Anti Bacterial Agents,Anti Bacterial Compound,Anti Bacterial Compounds,Anti Mycobacterial Agent,Anti Mycobacterial Agents,Compound, Anti-Bacterial,Compounds, Anti-Bacterial

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