Chia-Jui Yang1, Hung-Jen Tang2, Sui-Yuan Chang3, Szu-Min Hsieh4, Kuan-Yeh Lee5, Yuan-Ti Lee6, Wang-Huei Sheng7, Shang-Ping Yang8, Chien-Ching Hung9, Shan-Chwen Chang4. 1. Department of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. 2. Department of Internal Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan Department of Health and Nutrition, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Sciences, Tainan, Taiwan. 3. Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan. 4. Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan. 5. Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan. 6. School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University and Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. 7. Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan Center of Infection Control, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan. 8. Center of Infection Control, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan. 9. Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan hcc0401@ntu.edu.tw.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Effectiveness of single-dose azithromycin (2 g) in the treatment of early syphilis among HIV-infected patients has rarely been evaluated in the era of combination ART. METHODS: Consecutive HIV-infected patients with early syphilis, who received 2 g single-dose azithromycin or 2.4 MU benzathine penicillin G, between 2007 and 2014, were prospectively observed. Genotypic resistance to macrolides was determined in Treponema pallidum isolates identified from clinical specimens using PCR assays. Rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titres were determined at baseline and every 3 months after treatment. Primary outcome was a decline of RPR titre by ≥4-fold at 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: During the study period, 162 HIV-infected patients with early syphilis received benzathine penicillin G and 237 patients received azithromycin. At 12 months follow-up, the serological response rate for penicillin and azithromycin groups was 61.1% and 56.5% (P = 0.41), respectively; respective response rate was 61.1% and 65.9% (P = 0.49) if we only included patients infected with T. pallidum not harbouring macrolide resistance in the azithromycin group. In multivariate analysis, RPR titres ≥1:32 (OR 2.56; 95% CI 1.55-4.21) and prior syphilis (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.35-0.81) were predictors of serological response. Most common adverse effects of azithromycin included diarrhoea (52.7%), nausea (22.4%), abdominal pain (18.6%), bloating (17.7%) and lassitude/somnolence (27.4%). CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of a low prevalence of macrolide-resistant T. pallidum, 2 g single-dose azithromycin achieved a similar serological response to benzathine penicillin G in HIV-infected patients with early syphilis. Major adverse effects of azithromycin were gastrointestinal symptoms and lassitude/somnolence.
OBJECTIVES: Effectiveness of single-dose azithromycin (2 g) in the treatment of early syphilis among HIV-infectedpatients has rarely been evaluated in the era of combination ART. METHODS: Consecutive HIV-infectedpatients with early syphilis, who received 2 g single-dose azithromycin or 2.4 MU benzathine penicillin G, between 2007 and 2014, were prospectively observed. Genotypic resistance to macrolides was determined in Treponema pallidum isolates identified from clinical specimens using PCR assays. Rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titres were determined at baseline and every 3 months after treatment. Primary outcome was a decline of RPR titre by ≥4-fold at 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: During the study period, 162 HIV-infectedpatients with early syphilis received benzathine penicillin G and 237 patients received azithromycin. At 12 months follow-up, the serological response rate for penicillin and azithromycin groups was 61.1% and 56.5% (P = 0.41), respectively; respective response rate was 61.1% and 65.9% (P = 0.49) if we only included patients infected with T. pallidum not harbouring macrolide resistance in the azithromycin group. In multivariate analysis, RPR titres ≥1:32 (OR 2.56; 95% CI 1.55-4.21) and prior syphilis (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.35-0.81) were predictors of serological response. Most common adverse effects of azithromycin included diarrhoea (52.7%), nausea (22.4%), abdominal pain (18.6%), bloating (17.7%) and lassitude/somnolence (27.4%). CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of a low prevalence of macrolide-resistant T. pallidum, 2 g single-dose azithromycin achieved a similar serological response to benzathine penicillin G in HIV-infectedpatients with early syphilis. Major adverse effects of azithromycin were gastrointestinal symptoms and lassitude/somnolence.
Authors: Barbara J Molini; Lauren C Tantalo; Sharon K Sahi; Veronica I Rodriguez; Stephanie L Brandt; Mark C Fernandez; Charmie B Godornes; Christina M Marra; Sheila A Lukehart Journal: Sex Transm Dis Date: 2016-09 Impact factor: 2.830