Azithromycin in Chlamydial Urethritis
- Michael Verdon, PA;
- Walter E. Stamm, MD
Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text.
Excerpt
To the Editor. —A single 1-g dose of azithromycin has recently demonstrated effectiveness in treating uncomplicated genital chlamydial infection.1 As such, azithromycin represents a major advance in the treatment of chlamydial infection and may improve our efforts to limit the spread of this important pathogen. In view of the proven efficacy of the 1-g regimen, we examined whether a lower dose (500 mg) might be as effective in treating chlamydial infection. A lower dose would cost less and might be associated with fewer side effects. Since the mean tissue concentration after a 500-mg dose of azithromycin ranges between 1 and 9 mg/kg, with levels remaining above 1 mg/kg for 2 to 3 days,2 the expected tissue levels exceed the 90% minimum inhibitory concentration of Chlamydia trachomatis (0.25 mg/L) for at least several days.3
Eleven men with nongonococcal urethritis, characterized by urethral discharge, microscopic leukocytosis, and positive rapid
