Treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea in women with single-dose cefonicid.

The efficacy of cefonicid (1.0 g given in a single intramuscular dose) was assessed in 50 women with uncomplicated infections due to beta-lactamase-negative strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Forty-three (96%) of 45 cervical infections but only 23 (82%) of 28 anorectal infections were eradicated; overall, 44 (90%) of 49 women were cured of anogenital gonorrhea. Cefonicid failed to eradicate six (55%) of 11 pharyngeal gonococcal infections and 17 (85%) of 20 endocervical infections with Chlamydia trachomatis. Cefonicid had good activity against N. gonorrhoeae in vitro; 41 (98%) of 42 isolates were inhibited by less than or equal to 1.0 micrograms/ml. However, because of its poor efficacy against anorectal and pharyngeal gonococcal infections, single-dose cefonicid is not suitable for the treatment of gonorrhea in women or homosexually active men.