RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Efficacy of rifampicin plus doxycycline versus rifampicin plus quinolone in the treatment of brucellosis
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 921
OP 924
VO 23
IS 8
A1 Nese Saltoglu
A1 Yesim Tasova
A1 Ayse S. Inal
A1 Tugba Seki
A1 Hasan S. Aksu
YR 2002
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/23/8/921.abstract
AB OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy, tolerability and side effects of 2 treatment regimens for brucellosis.METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with brucellosis were followed up in our clinic. The patients were given rifampicin plus doxycycline or rifampicin plus quinolone. Thirty patients (group one) received rifampicin 600mg/daily plus doxycycline 100mg twice daily and 27 patients (group 2) received quinolones (ofloxacin 200mg twice daily peroral) plus rifampicin 600mg/daily. Both regimens were administered for 45-days. During the course of treatment, patients were followed for the disappearance of physical signs and symptoms. All patients were followed up at least 6-months after cessation of therapy. Diagnosis of brucellosis was established by utilizing the following criteria; Isolation of brucella species in blood, body fluids (Sceptor, Becton-Dickinson, United States of America), compatible clinical picture supported by the detection of specific antibodies at significant titers or demonstration, or both, of an at least 4 fold rise in antibody titer in serum specimens taken after 2-weeks. Significant titer was determined to be >one/160 in the standart tube agglutination test (Brucella abortus Cromatest, Linear Chemicals, Spain).RESULTS: Of patients 14 (24.5%) were male and 43 (75.5%) were female. Mean age was 36.8 ± 11.3 years (range 15-65). Sacroiliitis was the most common involvement in both groups 9 (30%) versus 6 (22%), followed by peripheral arthritis 6 (20%) versus 6 (22%). In this study, relapse rate was found 7.2% and 6.7% for ofloxacin plus rifampicin and doxycycline plus rifampicin for a 6-week therapy (p>0.05). No significant adverse effects were associated with either combination.CONCLUSION: These results indicated that a 45-day course of doxycycline plus ofloxacin combination was as effective as the doxycycline plus rifampicin combination in patients with brucellosis.