Single low-dose ceftriaxone for the treatment of gonococcal ophthalmia--implications for the national programme for the syndromic management of sexually transmitted diseases.

We prospectively analysed a total of 21 baby-mother pairs with culture-proven Neisseria gonorrhoeae treated with a single low dose of ceftriaxone, namely 62.5 mg for babies and 125 mg for mothers respectively. N. gonorrhoeae was eradicated from all babies' eyes with no residual damage, as well as from the mothers' cervixes. A single low dose of 62.5 mg ceftriaxone has emerged as the treatment of choice for gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum because of its excellent activity against N. gonorrhocae, including penicillinase-producing strains.