CLINICAL EFFICACY OF THE VARIOUS DRUGS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF GONORRHOEA
Abstract
Background: Gonorrhoea is a purulent inflammation of mucus membrane of the genital tract andis a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Neisseriagonorrhoae. Both men and women can be infected through a variety of sexual contact behavioursincluding vaginal, anal or oral intercourses. This comparative study was carried out in New GulailPolyclinic Jeddah, KSA from Jan 2003 to March 2004 to find the clinical efficacy ofciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone and spectinomycin, the three commonly used drugs, in the treatment ofgonorrhoea. Methods: A total number of 300 patients suffering from gonorrhoea were included inthis study. They were randomly divided into 3 groups of 100 patients each. Group-A patients weregiven Tablet Ciprofloxacin 500 mg, Group-B patients Injection Ceftriaxone 500 mg, and Group-Cpatients were put on Injection Spectinomycin 2 gm, all in stat dosage. On the 5th day following thetreatment, all patients were re-examined and their clinical and laboratory findings were recordedand analysed. Results: On the 5th day following treatment the Group-A (n=100) showed 9 (9%)partial response and 11 (11%) cases showed no response to Ciprofloxacin. In the Group-B(n=100), 4 (4%) patients showed partial response and 6 (6%) patients showed no response toCeftriaxone. In Group-C, out of 100 patients, 4 (4%) cases reported with partial response and 2(2%) patients showed no response to Spectinomycin. The efficacy of these anti-microbial agentswas the same in both the genders. Conclusion: Anti-microbial susceptibility of N. gonorrrhoeaeto various antibiotics is gradually decreasing. In order to ensure full cure, all gonorrhoea patientsshould be followed-up after a single dosage of any antibiotic. Further research should continue fornewer, effective, and preferably oral medication for the treatment of gonorrhoea.Keywords: Neisseria gonorrhoeae, sexually transmitted infection, STD, Sexually TransmittedDisease, GonorrhoeaReferences
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