zithromax and Diarrhea

Annually, Shigella spp. cause ≈188 million cases of diarrheal disease globally, including 500,000 cases in the United States; rates of antimicrobial resistance are increasing. To determine antimicrobial resistance and risk factors in San Diego, California, USA, we retrospectively reviewed cases of diarrheal disease caused by Shigella flexneri and S. sonnei diagnosed during 2017-2020. Of 128 evaluable cases, S. flexneri was slightly more common than S. sonnei; most cases were in persons who were gay or bisexual cisgender men, were living with HIV, were unhoused, or used methamphetamines. Overall, rates of resistance to azithromycin, fluoroquinolones, ampicillin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) were comparable to the most recent national data reported from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 55% of isolates were resistant to azithromycin, 23% to fluoroquinolones, 70% to ampicillin, and 83% to TMP/SMX. The rates that we found for TMP/SMX were slightly higher than those in national data.

Topics: Ampicillin; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Azithromycin; California; Diarrhea; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Dysentery, Bacillary; Fluoroquinolones; Humans; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Retrospective Studies; Shigella; Shigella sonnei; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; United States

Antibiotics are no longer the primary approach for treating all travellers' diarrhoea (TD): most cases resolve without antibiotics and using them predisposes to colonization by multidrug-resistant bacteria. Data are accumulating on increasing resistance among TD pathogens, yet research into the most common agents, diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli (DEC), remains limited.. A total of 413 travellers to the (sub)tropics were analyzed for travel-acquired diarrhoeal pathogens and ESBL-PE. To identify ESBL-producing DEC, ESBL-producing E. coli (ESBL-EC) isolates were subjected to multiplex qPCR for various DEC pathotypes: enteroaggregative (EAEC), enteropathogenic (EPEC), enterotoxigenic (ETEC), enteroinvasive (EIEC) and enterohaemorrhagic (EHEC) E. coli.For a literature review, we screened studies among travellers and locals in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) on the frequency of ESBL-producing DEC, and among travellers, also DEC with resistance to ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, and rifamycin derivatives.. Our rate of ESBL-EC among all DEC findings was 2.7% (13/475); among EAEC 5.7% (10/175), EPEC 1.1% (2/180), ETEC 1.3% (1/80) and EHEC (0/35) or EIEC 0% (0/5). The literature search yielded three studies reporting ESBL-EC frequency and thirteen exploring resistance to TD antibiotics among travel-acquired DEC. For EAEC and ETEC, the ESBL-EC rates were 10-13% and 14-15%, resistance to fluoroquinolones 0-42% and 0-40%, azithromycin 0-29% and 0-61%, and rifaximin 0% and 0-20%. The highest rates were from the most recent collections. Proportions of ESBL-producing DEC also appear to be increasing among locals in LMICs and even carbapenemase-producing DEC were reported.. ESBL producers are no longer rare among DEC, and the overall resistance to various antibiotics is increasing. The data predict decreasing efficacy of antibiotic treatment, threatening its benefits, for disadvantages still prevail when efficacy is lost.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; beta-Lactamases; Diarrhea; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Feces; Humans; Prospective Studies

To evaluate the toxicity of azithromycin in neonates, infants, and children.. A systematic review was performed for relevant studies using Medline (Ovid), PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, CINAHL, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts. We calculated the pooled incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with azithromycin based on prospective studies (RCTs and prospective cohort studies) and analyzed the risk difference (RD) of ADRs between azithromycin and placebo or other antibiotics using meta-analysis of RCTs.. We included 133 studies with 4243 ADRs reported in 197,675 neonates, infants, and children who received azithromycin. The safety of azithromycin as MDA in pediatrics was poorly monitored. The main ADRs were diarrhea and vomiting. In prospective non-MDA studies, the most common toxicity was gastrointestinal ADRs (938/1967; 47.7%). The most serious toxicities were cardiac (prolonged QT or irregular heart beat) and idiopathic hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS). Compared with placebo, azithromycin did not show increased risk ADRs based on RCTs (risk difference - 0.17 to 0.07). The incidence of QT prolonged was higher in the medium-dosage group (10-30 mg/kg/day) than that of low-dosage group (≤ 10 mg/kg/day) (82.0% vs 1.2%).. The safety of azithromycin as MDA needs further evaluation. The most common ADRs are diarrhea and vomiting. The risk of the most serious uncommon ADRs (cardiac-prolonged QT and IHPS) is unknown.

Topics: Age of Onset; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Child; Diarrhea; Humans; Incidence; Long QT Syndrome; Placebos; Prospective Studies; Pyloric Stenosis, Hypertrophic; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Assessment; Vomiting

Diarrhoea is one of the most commonly occurring diseases. This article presents a review of the current state of the treatment of acute infectious diarrhoea, as well as of the most important pathogens. The general principles of the therapy of diarrhoea are exemplified, followed by a description of the targeted antimicrobial therapy of the most important bacterial gastrointestinal infections, including salmonellosis, shigellosis and Campylobacter infections, as well as infections with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains, yersiniosis and cholera. Diarrhoea caused by toxigenic Clostridium difficile strains has increased in incidence and in severity. These infections will therefore be described in detail, including important new aspects of treatment. Symptomatic therapy is still the most important component of the treatment of infectious diarrhoea. However, empirical antibiotic therapy should be considered for severely ill patients with a high frequency of stools, fever, bloody diarrhoea, underlying immune deficiency, advanced age or significant comorbidities. Increasing resistance, in particular against fluoroquinolones, must be taken into consideration. Therapy with motility inhibitors is not recommended for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections, Clostridium difficile infections (CDI), and severe colitis. The macrocyclic antibiotic fidaxomicin can reduce the rate of recurrent disease in CDI. Furthermore, evidence for the benefits of faecal microbiota transplantation as a treatment option for multiple recurrences of CDI is increasing. In conclusion, the treatment of acute diarrhoea is still primarily supportive. General empirical antibiotic therapy for acute diarrhoea is not evidence-based.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aminoglycosides; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Bacterial Infections; Campylobacter Infections; Cholera; Ciprofloxacin; Diarrhea; Dysbiosis; Dysentery, Bacillary; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous; Escherichia coli Infections; Fidaxomicin; Gastroenteritis; Humans; Rifamycins; Rifaximin; Salmonella Infections; Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli; Yersinia Infections

Acute diarrhea is the most common illness that affects travelers to low-income regions of the world. Although improved hygiene has reduced the risk of traveler's diarrhea in many destinations, the risk remains high in others.. To review the current state of knowledge on the etiology, risk factors, prevention, and management of traveler's diarrhea.. A search of the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases for the period 2012-April 2014 was performed for articles on traveler's diarrhea. The database search yielded 2976 articles, of which 37 were included in this review. These were added to 85 articles previously identified by the authors.. Improved hygiene has reduced the risk of traveler's diarrhea from 20% or more (for a 2-week stay) to between 8% and 20% in some parts of the world. Acquiring traveler's diarrhea causes 12% to 46% of travelers to change their travel plans. Returning travelers seeking medical care have a diagnosis of gastrointestinal disturbance in approximately one-third of all cases. Postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome may occur in 3% to 17% of patients who have had traveler's diarrhea. Prevention of traveler's diarrhea by dietary avoidance measures is often not successful. Chemoprophylaxis should be restricted to travelers who are at risk of severe complications of diarrhea. Ciprofloxacin is the standard treatment in self-therapy of traveler's diarrhea except when patients are in South or Southeast Asia, where azithromycin is preferred.. Diarrhea remains a common problem for international travelers. Persons intending to travel to at-risk countries should be counseled regarding prevention measures and may be given a travel pack that includes medications for self-treatment should they become ill.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Ciprofloxacin; Diarrhea; Humans; Hygiene; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Risk Factors; Travel

Travelers' diarrhea affects 20-60% of travelers to low-income regions of the world. Much of the evidence for the clinical description and management of travelers' diarrhea was generated years ago, however, there is new information on geographic and host risk, etiology, and prevention strategies.. Travel to South Asia, followed by sub-Saharan Africa and South America, carries the highest risk for diarrheal syndromes in returned travelers. Women are more susceptible to travel-related diarrhea than men. Host genetic studies have demonstrated that single nucleotide polymorphisms in the lactoferrin, osteoprotegerin, and IL-10 genes are associated with small but increased risks for diarrhea and enteric pathogens. Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis is likely to be a new agent identified as causing travelers' diarrhea, and heat-stable toxin-producing Escherichia coli appears to be more common than heat-labile toxin E. coli. Overall levels of sanitation at the travel destination, including individual eating establishments, are strong predictors for acquisition of travelers' diarrhea. A new transdermal LT vaccine shows promise in modifying the severity of travelers' diarrhea. It remains uncertain whether prophylaxis or prompt self-treatment of travelers' diarrhea will prevent late-onset irritable bowel syndrome. For self-treatment, azithromycin is the drug of choice in travelers to areas where there is a high risk of fluoroquinolone-resistant Campylobacter spp., such as South and Southeast Asia and possibly North Africa, Central and South America.. There is increased understanding of the determinants of travelers' diarrhea. Despite this travelers' diarrhea remains one of the most common illnesses in travelers. Continued focus on intervention strategies may ultimately lead to decreased incidence.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Developing Countries; Diarrhea; Escherichia coli Vaccines; Female; Humans; Male; Risk Factors; Travel

The prevalence of female sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Japan is in the decreasing tendency after 2002, however it still actualizes as a social problem. Azithromycin, which is 15-member macrolide antimicrobial agent, has indication to treat the chlamydia STI in a single dose of 1 g. In April 2009, a single dose of 2 g of azithromycin extended release (ER) formulation, which is improved formulation by the viewpoint of pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics, was approved and has indications to treat not only chlamydial STI but also gonococcal STI. We considered the clinical application of azithromycin ER to treat female STI, including our new our own experiences because the clinical studies of azithromycin ER for STI had not been conducted. In conclusion, azithromycin ER was suggested theoretically becoming one of the choices of new treatment STI caused by not only chlamydia but also gonococcus, more clinical consideration to treat STI will be necessary in the future.

Topics: Adnexa Uteri; Azithromycin; Chlamydia trachomatis; Delayed-Action Preparations; Diarrhea; Double-Blind Method; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Female; Humans; Japan; Neisseria gonorrhoeae; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial; Tissue Distribution

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Bronchitis; Child; Delayed-Action Preparations; Diarrhea; Female; Humans; Laryngitis; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Satisfaction; Surveys and Questionnaires; Time Factors; Young Adult

Travellers' diarrhoea remains a major public health problem, contributing to significant morbidity and disability. Because bacterial enteropathogens cause a majority of this form of diarrhoea, antibacterial drugs are effective when used in chemoprophylaxis or for empirical treatment.A review of the MEDLINE listings for travellers' diarrhoea for the past 4 years was conducted; a library of >1,000 scientific articles on the topic was also considered in developing this review. Persons who travel from industrialised countries to developing countries of the tropical and semi-tropical world are the individuals who experience travellers' diarrhoea. While diarrhoea occurs with reduced frequency among persons travelling to low-risk areas from other low- or other high-risk areas, and there remain areas of intermediate risk, this review looks primarily at the illness occurring in persons from industrialised regions visiting high-risk regions of Latin America, Africa and Southern Asia. The material reviewed deals with the high frequency of acquiring diarrhoea during international travel to high-risk areas, seen in approximately 40%, and the expected bacterial causes of illness, of which diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli is the most important. The host risk factors associated with increased susceptibility to diarrhoea include young age, lack of previous travel to high-risk regions in the past 6 months, indiscriminate food and beverage selection patterns, and host genetics. It appears feasible to decrease the rate of illness among the travelling public by careful food and beverage selection or through chemoprophylaxis with nonabsorbed rifaximin. Chemoprophylaxis with rifaximin should help to reduce the occurrence of travellers' diarrhoea and hopefully prevent post-diarrhoea complications, including irritable bowel syndrome. Early empirical therapy with antibacterial drugs, including rifaximin, a fluoroquinolone or azithromycin, will decrease the duration of illness and return travellers more quickly to their planned activities.With collaboration between local governments and public health researchers, it may be possible to improve hygiene in areas to be visited, which may translate into reduced rates of illness. More liberal use of rifaximin prophylaxis is likely to reduce the occurrence of illness and complications of disease. Vaccines and immunoprophylactic products may be beneficial for prevention of a subset of individuals otherwise developing diarrhoea.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antidiarrheals; Azithromycin; Bismuth; Campylobacter; Clinical Trials as Topic; Diarrhea; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Escherichia coli; Food Microbiology; Humans; Hygiene; Organometallic Compounds; Rifamycins; Rifaximin; Salicylates; Shigella; Travel; Water Microbiology

The 'Stichting Werkgroep Antibioticabeleid' (SWAB; Dutch Working Party on Antibiotic Policy) develops evidence-based guidelines for the use of antibiotics in hospitalised adults. This guideline on acute infectious diarrhoea (AID) concerns the antibiotic treatment of acute infectious inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, manifesting primarily as diarrhoea. AID can be subdivided into community-acquired diarrhoea, traveller's diarrhoea and hospital-acquired (nosocomial) diarrhoea. In the first 2 categories, the need for antibiotic treatment is generally restricted to individuals with severe illness, dysentery or a predisposition to complications. High rates of primary fluoroquinolone resistance can be found in human Campylobacter isolates from the Netherlands and from other parts of the world. Therefore, if antibiotic treatment is necessary for community-acquired AID or AID in travellers returning to the Netherlands, it is advised to use oral azithromycin for 3 days as empirical treatment. If intravenous treatment is necessary, the combination of ciprofloxacin and erythromycin for 5-7 days may be considered. As soon as the identity of the causative organism is known, antimicrobial treatment should be tailored accordingly.

Topics: Acute Disease; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Ciprofloxacin; Diarrhea; Dysentery; Erythromycin; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Netherlands; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Treatment Outcome

Over 7 million cases of traveler's diarrhea, defined as the passage of > or = 3 unformed stools in a 24-h period, occur each year among visitors to developing countries. Bacterial enteric pathogens are the most common etiologic agents isolated. Preliminary clinical results for patients with diarrhea predominantly caused by Campylobacter species have shown that azithromycin may be an effective alternative to fluoroquinolones for the treatment of traveler's diarrhea.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Azithromycin; Bacterial Infections; Campylobacter Infections; Diarrhea; Fluoroquinolones; Humans; Travel; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

The MORDOR study, a masked, community-level randomized clinical trial conducted in Niger, Malawi and Tanzania (2015 to 2017), showed that biannual administration of single-dose azithromycin to preschool children reduced all-cause mortality. We sought to evaluate its impact on causes of death in children aged 1-59 months in Tanzania. A random sampling of 614 communities was conducted in Kilosa District, Tanzania, with simple random assignment of communities to receive either azithromycin or placebo. In these communities, a census was carried out every 6 months and children aged 1-59 months received biannual (every 6 months), single-dose azithromycin (~20mg/kg) or placebo depending on community assignment, over a 2-year period. Mortality was determined at the time of the biannual census. For child deaths, a verbal autopsy was performed to ascertain the cause using a standardized diagnostic classification. A total of 190- (0.58 /100 person-years) and 200 deaths (0.59/100 person-years) were reported in the azithromycin and placebo arms, respectively. Malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea, accounted for 71% and 68% of deaths in the respective arms. Overall, the mortality was not different by treatment arm, nor were the distribution of causes of death after adjusting for community clustering. The cause-specific mortality for diarrhea/pneumonia was no different over time. In children aged 1-5 months, 32 deaths occurred in the placebo arm and 25 deaths occurred in the azithromycin arm; 20 (62.5%) deaths in the placebo- and 10 (40%) in the azithromycin arm were attributed to diarrhea or pneumonia. Neither differences in the number of deaths nor the diarrhea/pneumonia attribution was statistically significant after adjusting for community clustering. In conclusion, azithromycin was not associated with a significant decline in deaths by specific causes compared to placebo. The non-significant lower rates of diarrhea or pneumonia in children <6 months who received azithromycin merit further investigation in high-mortality settings. Trial registration: NCT02048007.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Azithromycin; Cause of Death; Child, Preschool; Diarrhea; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Malaria; Malawi; Male; Niger; Pneumonia; Tanzania; Treatment Outcome

World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines do not recommend routine antibiotic use for children with acute watery diarrhea. However, recent studies suggest that a significant proportion of such episodes have a bacterial cause and are associated with mortality and growth impairment, especially among children at high risk of diarrhea-associated mortality. Expanding antibiotic use among dehydrated or undernourished children may reduce diarrhea-associated mortality and improve growth.. To determine whether the addition of azithromycin to standard case management of acute nonbloody watery diarrhea for children aged 2 to 23 months who are dehydrated or undernourished could reduce mortality and improve linear growth.. The Antibiotics for Children with Diarrhea (ABCD) trial was a multicountry, randomized, double-blind, clinical trial among 8266 high-risk children aged 2 to 23 months presenting with acute nonbloody diarrhea. Participants were recruited between July 1, 2017, and July 10, 2019, from 36 outpatient hospital departments or community health centers in a mixture of urban and rural settings in Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Pakistan, and Tanzania. Each participant was followed up for 180 days. Primary analysis included all randomized participants by intention to treat.. Enrolled children were randomly assigned to receive either oral azithromycin, 10 mg/kg, or placebo once daily for 3 days in addition to standard WHO case management protocols for the management of acute watery diarrhea.. Primary outcomes included all-cause mortality up to 180 days after enrollment and linear growth faltering 90 days after enrollment.. A total of 8266 children (4463 boys [54.0%]; mean [SD] age, 11.6 [5.3] months) were randomized. A total of 20 of 4133 children in the azithromycin group (0.5%) and 28 of 4135 children in the placebo group (0.7%) died (relative risk, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.40-1.27). The mean (SD) change in length-for-age z scores 90 days after enrollment was -0.16 (0.59) in the azithromycin group and -0.19 (0.60) in the placebo group (risk difference, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.01-0.06). Overall mortality was much lower than anticipated, and the trial was stopped for futility at the prespecified interim analysis.. The study did not detect a survival benefit for children from the addition of azithromycin to standard WHO case management of acute watery diarrhea in low-resource settings. There was a small reduction in linear growth faltering in the azithromycin group, although the magnitude of this effect was not likely to be clinically significant. In low-resource settings, expansion of antibiotic use is not warranted. Adherence to current WHO case management protocols for watery diarrhea remains appropriate and should be encouraged.. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03130114.

Topics: Acute Disease; Administration, Oral; Ambulatory Care; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Child Development; Dehydration; Diarrhea; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Health Resources; Humans; Infant; Male; Malnutrition; Treatment Outcome

Acute diarrhoea is a common cause of illness and death among children in low- to middle-income settings. World Health Organization guidelines for the clinical management of acute watery diarrhoea in children focus on oral rehydration, supplemental zinc and feeding advice. Routine use of antibiotics is not recommended except when diarrhoea is bloody or cholera is suspected. Young children who are undernourished or have a dehydrating diarrhoea are more susceptible to death at 90 days after onset of diarrhoea. Given the mortality risk associated with diarrhoea in children with malnutrition or dehydrating diarrhoea, expanding the use of antibiotics for this subset of children could be an important intervention to reduce diarrhoea-associated mortality and morbidity. We designed the Antibiotics for Childhood Diarrhoea (ABCD) trial to test this intervention.. ABCD is a double-blind, randomised trial recruiting 11,500 children aged 2-23 months presenting with acute non-bloody diarrhoea who are dehydrated and/or undernourished (i.e. have a high risk for mortality). Enrolled children in Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Pakistan and Tanzania are randomised (1:1) to oral azithromycin 10 mg/kg or placebo once daily for 3 days and followed-up for 180 days. Primary efficacy endpoints are all-cause mortality during the 180 days post-enrolment and change in linear growth 90 days post-enrolment.. Expanding the treatment of acute watery diarrhoea in high-risk children to include an antibiotic may offer an opportunity to reduce deaths. These benefits may result from direct antimicrobial effects on pathogens or other incompletely understood mechanisms including improved nutrition, alterations in immune responsiveness or improved enteric function. The expansion of indications for antibiotic use raises concerns about the emergence of antimicrobial resistance both within treated children and the communities in which they live. ABCD will monitor antimicrobial resistance. The ABCD trial has important policy implications. If the trial shows significant benefits of azithromycin use, this may provide evidence to support reconsideration of antibiotic indications in the present World Health Organization diarrhoea management guidelines. Conversely, if there is no evidence of benefit, these results will support the current avoidance of antibiotics except in dysentery or cholera, thereby avoiding inappropriate use of antibiotics and reaffirming the current guidelines.. Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03130114. Registered on April 26 2017.

Topics: Africa South of the Sahara; Age Factors; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Asia, Western; Azithromycin; Child Development; Dehydration; Developing Countries; Diarrhea; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant Mortality; Infant Nutrition Disorders; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Male; Malnutrition; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Nutritional Status; Organism Hydration Status; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Water-Electrolyte Balance

Use of maintenance antibiotic therapy with the macrolide azithromycin is increasing in a number of chronic respiratory disorders including primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). However, evidence for its efficacy in PCD is lacking. We aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of azithromycin maintenance therapy for 6 months in patients with PCD.. Between June 24, 2014, and Aug 23, 2016, 102 patients were screened, of whom 90 were randomly assigned to either azithromycin (n=49) or placebo (n=41). The study was ended without having included the planned number of participants due to recruitment difficulties. The mean number of respiratory exacerbations over 6 months was 0·75 (SD 1·12) in the azithromycin group compared with 1·62 (1·64) in the placebo group, and participants receiving azithromycin had significantly lower rate of exacerbations during the individual treatment periods (rate ratio 0·45 [95% CI 0·26-0·78]; p=0·004). Four serious adverse events were reported, occurring in one (2%) of 47 participants in the azithromycin group and in three (7%) of 41 participants in the placebo group. Loose stools or diarrhoea were more common in the azithromycin group than in the placebo group (11 [23%] vs two [5%]).. This first multinational randomised controlled trial on pharmacotherapy in PCD showed that azithromycin maintenance therapy for 6 months was well tolerated and halved the rate of respiratory exacerbations. Azithromycin maintenance therapy is an option for patients with PCD with frequent exacerbations potentially leading to reduced need for additional antibiotic treatments and preventing irreversible lung damage.. European Commission Seventh Framework Programme and Children's Lung Foundation (Denmark).

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Airway Resistance; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Azithromycin; Blood Cell Count; C-Reactive Protein; Child; Ciliary Motility Disorders; Cytokines; Diarrhea; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Quality of Life; Respiratory Function Tests; Sputum; Young Adult

Campylobacter species are a leading cause of diarrheal disease globally with significant morbidity. Primary prevention efforts have yielded limited results. Rifaximin chemoprophylaxis decreases rates of travelers' diarrhea and may be suitable for high-risk persons. We assessed the efficacy of rifaximin in the controlled human infection model for Campylobacter jejuni.. Twenty-eight subjects were admitted to an inpatient facility and randomized to a twice-daily dose of 550 mg rifaximin or placebo. The following day, subjects ingested 1.7 × 105 colony-forming units of C. jejuni strain CG8421. Subjects continued prophylaxis for 3 additional days, were followed for campylobacteriosis for 144 hours, and were subsequently treated with azithromycin and ciprofloxacin. Samples were collected to assess immunologic responses to CG8421.. There was no difference (P = 1.0) in the frequency of campylobacteriosis in those receiving rifaximin (86.7%) or placebo (84.6%). Additionally, there were no differences in the clinical signs and symptoms of C. jejuni infection to include abdominal pain/cramps (P = 1.0), nausea (P = 1.0), vomiting (P = .2), or fever (P = 1.0) across study groups. Immune responses to the CG8421 strain were comparable across treatment groups.. Rifaximin did not prevent campylobacteriosis in this controlled human infection model. Given the morbidity associated with Campylobacter infection, primary prevention efforts remain a significant need.. NCT02280044.

Topics: Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Campylobacter Infections; Campylobacter jejuni; Chemoprevention; Ciprofloxacin; Diarrhea; Double-Blind Method; Female; Healthy Volunteers; Human Experimentation; Humans; Male; Rifaximin; Young Adult

To investigate the clinical effect of Saccharomyces boulardii powder combined with azithromycin sequential therapy in the treatment of children with diarrhea secondary to Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.. A total of 88 children with diarrhea secondary to Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia between June 2015 and March 2017 were divided into control group and study group using a random number table, with 44 children in each group. The children in the control group were given routine treatment combined with azithromycin sequential therapy, and those in the study group were given oral Saccharomyces boulardii powder in addition to the treatment in the control group until the end of azithromycin sequential therapy. After the treatment ended, the two groups were compared in terms of time to improvement of clinical symptoms, length of hospital stay, clinical outcome, defecation frequency before and after treatment, condition of intestinal dysbacteriosis, and incidence of adverse events.. Compared with the control group, the study group had significantly shorter time to improvement of clinical symptoms and length of hospital stay (P<0.05). The study group had a significantly higher response rate than the control group (P<0.05). On days 3 and 5 of treatment, the study group had a significant reduction in defecation frequency compared with the control group (P<0.05). The study group had a significantly lower rate of intestinal dysbacteriosis than the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups (P>0.05).. In the treatment of children with diarrhea secondary to Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia, Saccharomyces boulardii powder combined with azithromycin sequential therapy can improve clinical symptoms, shorten the length of hospital stay, reduce defecation frequency and the incidence of intestinal dysbacteriosis, and improve clinical outcomes, and does not increase the risk of adverse events.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Child; Child, Preschool; Diarrhea; Female; Humans; Infant; Length of Stay; Male; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Powders; Saccharomyces boulardii

Recommended treatment for travelers' diarrhea includes the combination of an antibiotic, usually a fluoroquinolone or azithromycin, and loperamide for rapid resolution of symptoms. However, adverse events, postdose nausea with high-dose azithromycin, effectiveness of single-dose rifaximin, and emerging resistance to front-line agents are evidence gaps underlying current recommendations.. A randomized, double-blind trial was conducted in 4 countries (Afghanistan, Djibouti, Kenya, and Honduras) between September 2012 and July 2015. US and UK service members with acute watery diarrhea were randomized and received single-dose azithromycin (500 mg; 106 persons), levofloxacin (500 mg; 111 persons), or rifaximin (1650 mg; 107 persons), in combination with loperamide (labeled dosing). The efficacy outcomes included clinical cure at 24 hours and time to last unformed stool.. Clinical cure at 24 hours occurred in 81.4%, 78.3%, and 74.8% of the levofloxacin, azithromycin, and rifaximin arms, respectively. Compared with levofloxacin, azithromycin was not inferior (P = .01). Noninferiority could not be shown with rifaximin (P = .07). At 48 and 72 hours, efficacy among regimens was equivalent (approximately 91% at 48 and 96% at 72 hours). The median time to last unformed stool did not differ between treatment arms (azithromycin, 3.8 hours; levofloxacin, 6.4 hours; rifaximin, 5.6 hours). Treatment failures were uncommon (3.8%, 4.4%, and 1.9% in azithromycin, levofloxacin, and rifaximin arms, respectively) (P = .55). There were no differences between treatment arms with postdose nausea, vomiting, or other adverse events.. Single-dose azithromycin, levofloxacin, and rifaximin with loperamide were comparable for treatment of acute watery diarrhea.. NCT01618591.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Afghanistan; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Diarrhea; Djibouti; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Female; Honduras; Humans; Kenya; Levofloxacin; Loperamide; Male; Military Personnel; Travel; Treatment Outcome

Campylobacter concisus has been associated with prolonged mild diarrhoea, but investigations regarding the efficacy of antimicrobial treatment have not been reported previously. We initiated a phase 3, single-centre, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study comparing the efficacy of 500 mg once-daily dose of azithromycin with a 500 mg once-daily dose of placebo for three days, for the treatment of C. concisus diarrhoea in adult patients with a follow-up period of ten days. If symptoms persisted at day ten, the patient was offered cross-over study treatment of three days and another ten-day follow-up period. The primary efficacy endpoint was the clinical response, defined as time to cessation of diarrhoea (<3 stools/day or reversal of accompanying symptoms). Our estimated sample size was 100 patients. We investigated a total of 10,036 diarrheic stool samples from 7,089 adult patients. Five-hundred and eighty-eight C. concisus positive patients were assessed for eligibility, of which 559 were excluded prior to randomization. The three main reasons for exclusion were duration of diarrhoea longer than 21 days (n = 124), previous antibiotic treatment (n = 113), and co-pathogens in stools (n = 87). Therefore, 24 patients completed the trial with either azithromycin (n = 12) or placebo (n = 12). Both groups presented symptoms of mild, prolonged diarrhoea with a mean duration of 18 days (95% CI: 16-19). One person in the azithromycin group and four from the placebo group chose to continue with crossover medication after the initial ten-day period. In the azithromycin group, there was a mean of seven days (95% CI: 5-9) to clinical cure and for the placebo group it was ten days (95% CI: 6-14) (OR-3 (95% CI: -7-1). We observed no differences in all examined outcomes between azithromycin treatment and placebo. However, due to unforeseen recruitment difficulties we did not reach our estimated sample size of 100 patients and statistical power to conclude on an effect of azithromycin treatment was not obtained.. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01531218.

Topics: Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Bacterial Proteins; Campylobacter; Campylobacter Infections; Cross-Over Studies; Diarrhea; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Feces; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Placebo Effect; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Treatment Outcome

Antibiotic resistance is increasing worldwide, being of special concern in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility and mechanisms of resistance in 205 enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) isolates from two cohort studies in children <24 months in Lima, Peru.. ETEC were identified by an in-house multiplex real-time PCR. Susceptibility to 13 antimicrobial agents was tested by disk diffusion; mechanisms of resistance were evaluated by PCR.. ETEC isolates were resistant to ampicillin (64%), cotrimoxazole (52%), tetracycline (37%); 39% of the isolates were multidrug-resistant. Heat-stable toxin producing (ETEC-st) (48%) and heat-labile toxin producing ETEC (ETEC-lt) (40%) had higher rates of multidrug resistance than isolates producing both toxins (ETEC-lt-st) (21%), p<0.05. Only 10% of isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid and none to ciprofloxacin or cefotaxime. Ampicillin and sulfamethoxazole resistance were most often associated with blaTEM (69%) and sul2 genes (68%), respectively. Tetracycline resistance was associated with tet(A) (49%) and tet(B) (39%) genes. Azithromycin inhibitory diameters were ≤15 mm in 36% of isolates, with 5% of those presenting the mph(A) gene.. ETEC from Peruvian children are often resistant to older, inexpensive antibiotics, while remaining susceptible to ciprofloxacin, cephalosporins and furazolidone. Fluoroquinolones and azithromycin remain the drugs of choice for ETEC infections in Peru. However, further development of resistance should be closely monitored.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Diarrhea; Double-Blind Method; Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Female; Fluoroquinolones; Humans; Infant; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Peru; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

A cluster-randomized trial demonstrated that mass oral azithromycin distribution reduced childhood mortality 49.6% (Trachoma Amelioration in Northern Amhara [TANA]). The relative risk of childhood mortality was then estimated using two approaches: an expert survey and a Bayesian analysis. The survey asked public health experts to estimate the true effect of mass azithromycin distribution on childhood mortality. The Bayesian estimation used the TANA study's results and prior estimates of the efficacy of other effective population-level interventions. The experts believed mass azithromycin reduces childhood mortality (relative risk = 0.83, 95% credible intervals [CrI] = 0.70-1.00). The Bayesian analysis estimated a relative risk of 0.71 (95% CrI = 0.39-0.93). Both estimates suggest that azithromycin may have a true mortality benefit, though of a smaller magnitude than found in the single available trial. Prior information about nonantibiotic, population-level interventions may have informed the expert's opinions. Additional trials are needed to confirm a mortality benefit from mass azithromycin.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Africa South of the Sahara; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Bayes Theorem; Child, Preschool; Cluster Analysis; Diarrhea; Humans; Infant; Malaria; Respiratory Tract Infections; Surveys and Questionnaires; Trachoma; Treatment Outcome

The results indicate that oral administration of azithromycin (AZM) is equivalent to intravenous administration of cefazolin (CEZ) for preventing surgical site infection (SSI) in patients undergoing tonsillectomy, and should be used as cost-effective antimicrobial prophylaxis.. Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp., and pharyngeal anaerobes have been described as major pathogens causing SSI in transpharyngeal operations such as tonsillectomy. The purpose of this study was to explore whether administration of AZM, an oral antimicrobial agent, might be equivalent to intravenous administration of a first-generation cefem antimicrobial agent for preventing SSI in patients undergoing tonsillectomy.. Patients undergoing tonsillectomy were divided into an AZM-treated group and a CEZ-treated group, for intergroup comparison of responses. AZM was administered once orally, 2 days before the operation, whereas patients in the CEZ-treated group received CEZ intravenously 30 min before the operation, 4 h postoperatively, and then twice daily for 3 consecutive days beginning the day after the operation.. There were no significant intergroup differences in mean duration of hospitalization after the operation, incidence of postoperative hemorrhage, postoperative analgesic effect, or hematologic/blood biochemical findings. The incidence of postoperative fever was significantly lower in the AZM-treated group. Diarrhea occurred as an adverse drug reaction in the AZM-treated group, but no clinically significant adverse reactions were noted.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Azithromycin; Cefazolin; Delayed-Action Preparations; Diarrhea; Female; Fever; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Male; Postoperative Complications; Surgical Wound Infection; Tonsillectomy

it is known that the efficacy of azithromycin, in animal infection models, is best correlated with AUC/MIC. The pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) relationship for azithromycin, however, has not been previously confirmed with clinical data. The objectives of this PK-PD analysis were to characterize exposure-response relationships for the efficacy and safety of azithromycin extended release (ER) in Japanese patients, and to evaluate the effects of potential covariates on the prediction of response.. sparse serum azithromycin concentration, MIC, efficacy and safety data were collected from three Japanese Phase 3 studies of a 2 g single dose of azithromycin-ER for respiratory tract infections. These sparse concentration data were combined with data from eight Phase 1 PK studies in Japanese and Western populations, to develop a robust population PK model using a non-linear mixed effects approach. The exposure-response relationships for efficacy and safety were evaluated using logistic regression.. a two-compartment model with first-order absorption and first-order elimination with a lag time adequately described the PK of azithromycin-ER, without any significant ethnic differences in AUC. The percentage of bacteriological and clinical success in patients with AUC/MIC  >  5 (95.8% and 100%, respectively) was much higher than in those with AUC/MIC  ≤  5 (60.0% and 83.3%, respectively).. as expected, the probabilities of success in the clinical and bacteriological responses were positively associated with AUC/MIC, but not with AUC. For the exposure-safety relationship, the incidence of treatment-related diarrhoea was inversely associated with azithromycin exposure.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Asian People; Azithromycin; Bacteria; Bacterial Infections; Diarrhea; Female; Humans; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Respiratory Tract Infections; Serum; Young Adult

Rosacea is a common inflammatory disorder of the skin. Systemic antibiotics currently used in the treatment of rosacea are sometimes associated with uncomfortable side effects. Therefore, a need for an effective agent with few side effects and good patient compliance exists. Azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic with prolonged mode of action, has recently been found to be an effective alternative in the treatment of inflammatory acne.. For evaluation of the efficacy of azithromycin in the treatment of rosacea, we planned a randomized, open, clinical trial study to compare the efficacy of azithromycin with doxycycline in the treatment of this disease. Sixty-seven patients were randomized to receive either azithromycin 500 mg thrice weekly (on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday) in the first, 250 mg thrice weekly (on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday) in the second, and 250 mg twice weekly (on Tuesday, and Saturday) in the third month. The other group was given doxycycline 100 mg/day for the three months. Clinical assessment was made at baseline, at the end of first, second, third, and 2 months after treatment. Side affects were recorded. The limitation of this study is that there was no blindness.. Statistically significant improvement was obtained with both drugs. Neither drug was shown to be more effective than the other. In the azithromycin group four patients had diarrhea, while epigastric burning was seen in two patients using doxycycline.. This study indicates that azithromycin is at least as effective as doxycycline in the treatment of rosacea.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Diarrhea; Doxycycline; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Heartburn; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Rosacea; Skin; Statistics, Nonparametric; Treatment Outcome

The recommended treatment for traveler's diarrhea is the combination of an appropriate antibiotic (usually a fluoroquinolone) and loperamide. Azithromycin compared favorably with fluoroquinolones in trials that did not include the use of loperamide, but combination therapy has not, to our knowledge, been studied to date.. A randomized, double-blind trial was conducted at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, fromJ une 2003 through August 2004. Adults from the United States with noninflammatory diarrhea were randomized to receive a single dose of azithromycin (1000 mg; 106 persons) or levofloxacin (500 mg; 101 persons) plus loperamide (4 mg initially and as needed thereafter). Volunteers maintained a symptom diary and were evaluated on days 1, 3, and 7 after treatment.. No differences were noted with respect to pretreatment symptoms or pathogen distribution. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli was the most common pathogen isolated (from 45% of patients in the azithromycin group and 42% of patients in the levofloxacin group), and Campylobacter species was the second most common pathogen isolated (from 6% of patients in the azithromycin group and 9% of patients in the levofloxacin group). Median time to last diarrheal stool (azithromycin group, 13 h; levofloxacin group, 3 h), median time to resolution of associated symptoms (2 days), and additional loperamide usage (azithromycin group, 39% of patients; levofloxacin group, 34% of patients) were similar between groups. Azithromycin use was associated with more nausea in the 30 min after dosing (azithromycin group, 8% of patients; levofloxacin group, 1% of patients; Pp.004), but no vomiting or other adverse events were noted in either group.. Single-dose treatment with azithromycin (1000 mg) and loperamide is as effective as single-dose treatment with levofloxacin (500 mg) and loperamide for noninflammatory diarrhea. Although nausea after dosing is uncommon, it is more frequently associated with azithromycin than with levofloxacin. Future studies should focus on determining whether lower doses of azithromycin would decrease the frequency of nausea and decrease treatment costs without affecting efficacy.

Topics: Adult; Azithromycin; Campylobacter Infections; Diarrhea; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Escherichia coli Infections; Feces; Female; Humans; Levofloxacin; Loperamide; Male; Military Personnel; Nausea; Ofloxacin; Salmonella Infections; Time Factors; Travel; Turkey; United States

Single-dose azithromycin is effective in the treatment of severe cholera in children, but its effectiveness in adults has not been evaluated.. We conducted a double-blind, randomized trial comparing the equivalence of azithromycin and ciprofloxacin (each given in a single 1-g dose of two 500-mg tablets) among 195 men with severe cholera caused by Vibrio cholerae O1 or O139. Patients were hospitalized for five days. A stool culture was performed daily. Primary outcome measures were clinical success (the cessation of watery stools within 48 hours after drug administration) and bacteriologic success (the inability to isolate V. cholerae after 48 hours).. Therapy was clinically successful in 71 of 97 patients receiving azithromycin (73 percent) and in 26 of 98 patients receiving ciprofloxacin (27 percent) (P<0.001) and bacteriologically successful in 76 of 97 patients receiving azithromycin (78 percent) and in 10 of 98 patients receiving ciprofloxacin (10 percent) (P<0.001). Patients who were treated with azithromycin had a shorter duration of diarrhea than did patients treated with ciprofloxacin (median, 30 vs. 78 hours); a lower frequency of vomiting (43 percent vs. 67 percent); fewer stools (median, 36 vs. 52); and a lower stool volume (median, 114 vs. 322 ml per kilogram of body weight). The median minimal inhibitory concentration of ciprofloxacin for the 177 isolates of V. cholerae O1 was 0.25 mug per milliliter, which was 11 to 83 times as high as that in previous studies at this site.. Single-dose azithromycin was effective in the treatment of severe cholera in adults. The lack of efficacy of ciprofloxacin may result from its diminished activity against V. cholerae O1 strains currently circulating in Bangladesh. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00229944.).

Topics: Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Bangladesh; Cholera; Ciprofloxacin; Combined Modality Therapy; Diarrhea; Double-Blind Method; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Fluid Therapy; Humans; Male; Treatment Outcome; Vibrio cholerae; Vomiting

Short-course therapy for acute otitis media (AOM) improves adherence and may reduce secondary bacterial resistance.. In this multicenter, prospective, investigator-blinded study, patients between the ages of 6 months and 6 years with a clinical diagnosis of AOM were randomized to receive cefdinir oral suspension 7 mg/kg q12h for 5 days or azithromycin oral suspension 10 mg/kg once daily on day 1 and 5 mg/kg once daily on days 2 through 5. Clinical response was assessed at the end-of-therapy (EOT) visit (days 7-9) and the follow-up visit (days 20-25).. Three hundred fifty-seven patients were enrolled in the study. The treatment groups were similar at baseline with respect to demographic characteristics (mean [SD] age, 3.0 [1.7] years; 55% male), incidence of bilateral AOM (45%), and presenting signs and symptoms. The majority of evaluable children (77%) had previously received conjugated heptavalent pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7) against Streptococcus pneumoniae. At the EOT visit, clinical cure rates were comparable for cefdinir and azithromycin (87% [151/174] and 85% [149/176], respectively; 95% CI, -5.5 to 9.8). In addition, clinical cure rates at the EOT visit in the children who had been vaccinated with PCV7 were comparable between cefdinir and azithromycin (86% vs 83%; 95% CI, -6.5 to 11.8). No significant difference in clinical cure rates was observed at the follow-up visit (76% and 86%; 95% CI, -18.9 to 0.0). Parental satisfaction was similar between treatment groups with regard to ease of use, taste, compliance, health care resource utilization, and missed days of work and day-care. Both antibiotics were well tolerated; diarrhea and abnormal stools were the most common antibiotic-related adverse events (< or = 7% each).. Short courses (5 days) of therapy with cefdinir or azithromycin were comparable in these children with AOM based on clinical end points, parental preferences, and health care utilization.

Topics: Acoustic Impedance Tests; Acute Disease; Administration, Oral; Analgesics; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Azithromycin; Cefdinir; Cephalosporins; Child, Preschool; Diarrhea; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Heptavalent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine; Humans; Male; Meningococcal Vaccines; Otitis Media; Pneumococcal Vaccines; Prospective Studies; Single-Blind Method; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Tympanic Membrane

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of S. boulardii in diarrhea associated with commonly used antibiotics such as sulbactam-ampicillin (SAM) and azithromycin (AZT). Four hundred and sixty-six patients were assigned to four different groups as follows: group 1:117 patients receiving SAM alone; group 2:117 patients receiving SAM and S. boulardii, group 3:105 patients receiving AZT alone; group 4:127 patients receiving AZT and S. boulardii. Antibiotic-associated diarrhea was seen in 42 of the 222 patients (18.9 per cent) receiving an antibiotic without the probiotic, and in 14 of the 244 patients (5.7 per cent) who received both the probiotic and the antibiotic (p < 0.05). In the group receiving SAM where S. boulardii use was found to be significant, the use of S. boulardii decreased the diarrhea rate from 32.3 to 11.4 per cent in the 1-5 years age group (p < 0.05). This is a pioneering study investigating combined antibiotic and probiotic use in pediatric diarrhea patients.

Topics: Adolescent; Ampicillin; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Child; Child, Preschool; Diarrhea; Drug Combinations; Humans; Infant; Probiotics; Saccharomyces; Sulbactam

Increased drug resistance among enteropathogens is an emergent problem in travelers' diarrhea. This randomized, double-blind trial was conducted in Guadalajara, Mexico, during the summers of 1999-2001 to compare azithromycin with levofloxacin for the treatment of travelers' diarrhea. A total of 217 US adults were randomized to receive a single oral dose of azithromycin (1000 mg; 108 persons) or levofloxacin (500 mg; 109 persons), with a follow-up period of 4 days. Three patients in each group dropped out of the study. The median time between initiation of therapy and passage of the last unformed stool (azithromycin group, 22.3 h; levofloxacin group, 21.5 h) and the number of unformed stools passed during the 4-day follow-up period (azithromycin group, 6.5; levofloxacin group, 5.5) were similar. Treatment failure occurred in 10 patients (9.5%) receiving azithromycin and 8 patients (7.5%) receiving levofloxacin. Possible minor, self-limiting adverse events occurred in 57 patients in each treatment group. Azithromycin was found to be a safe and effective alternative to levofloxacin for the treatment of acute travelers' diarrhea in US adult travelers to Mexico.

Topics: Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Azithromycin; Diarrhea; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Levofloxacin; Male; Mexico; Ofloxacin; Travel

We evaluated the use of azithromycin (500 mg) or ciprofloxacin (500 mg) daily for 3 days for the treatment of acute diarrhea among United States military personnel in Thailand. Stool cultures were obtained and symptoms were recorded on study days 0, 1, 2, 3, and 10. Campylobacter species were the most common pathogen isolated (44 isolates from 42 patients). All Campylobacter isolates were susceptible to azithromycin; 22 were resistant to ciprofloxacin. Among the 42 patients with campylobacter infection, there were 2 clinical and 6 bacteriologic treatment failures in the ciprofloxacin group and no treatment failures in the azithromycin group (P = .021 for bacteriologic failures). Overall, azithromycin was as effective as ciprofloxacin in decreasing the duration of illness (36.9 hours vs. 38.2 hours, respectively) and the number of stools (6.4 vs. 7.8, respectively). Among those not infected with Campylobacter species (n = 30), the duration of illness was 32.9 hours vs. 20.7 hours (P = .03) for the azithromycin and ciprofloxacin groups, respectively. Azithromycin is superior to ciprofloxacin in decreasing the excretion of Campylobacter species and as effective as ciprofloxacin in shortening the duration of illness. Azithromycin therapy may be an effective alternative to ciprofloxacin therapy in areas where ciprofloxacin-resistant Campylobacter species are prevalent.

Topics: Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Azithromycin; Campylobacter; Campylobacter Infections; Ciprofloxacin; Diarrhea; Double-Blind Method; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Enteritis; Female; Humans; Male; Military Personnel; Thailand; Travel; United States

We evaluated the burden of Shigella spp from children aged 0-59 months with medically attended moderate-to-severe diarrhea and matched controls at sites in Mali, The Gambia, and Kenya participating in the Vaccine Impact on Diarrhea in Africa (VIDA) study from 2015 to 2018.. Shigella spp were identified using coprocultures and serotyping in addition to quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Episode-specific attributable fractions (AFe) for Shigella were calculated using Shigella DNA quantity; cases with AFe ≥0.5 were considered to have shigellosis.. The prevalence of Shigella was determined to be 359 of 4840 (7.4%) cases and 83 of 6213 (1.3%) controls by culture, and 1641 of 4836 (33.9%) cases and 1084 of 4846 (22.4%) controls by qPCR (cycle threshold <35); shigellosis was higher in The Gambia (30.8%) than in Mali (9.3%) and Kenya (18.7%). Bloody diarrhea attributed to Shigella was more common in 24- to 59-month-old children (50.1%) than 0- to 11-month-old infants (39.5%). The Shigella flexneri serogroup predominated among cases (67.6% of isolates), followed by Shigella sonnei (18.2%), Shigella boydii (11.8%), and Shigella dysenteriae (2.3%). The most frequent S. flexneri serotypes were 2a (40.6%), 1b (18.8%), 6 (17.5%), 3a (9.0%), and 4a (5.1%). Drug-specific resistance among 353 (98.3%) Shigella cases with AMR data was as follows: trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (94.9%), ampicillin (48.4%), nalidixic acid (1.7%), ceftriaxone (0.3%), azithromycin (0.3%), and ciprofloxacin (0.0%).. A high prevalence of shigellosis continues in sub-Saharan Africa. Strains are highly resistant to commonly used antibiotics while remaining susceptible to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, and azithromycin.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Ceftriaxone; Child; Child, Preschool; Ciprofloxacin; Diarrhea; Dysentery, Bacillary; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Mali; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Shigella

Antibacterial resistance is a growing concern worldwide, including in Mozambique. Diarrhea is an important cause of mortality in Mozambique, yet few local studies have reported on the resistance of bacterial pathogens in this context. Therefore, this study aims to characterize antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter spp. among patients with diarrhea, including those who are HIV-infected and-uninfected.. We conducted antibiotic susceptibility testing on 157 stool isolates recovered from 129 patients aged between 0 and 80 years with diarrhea, including HIV infected (n = 68) and-uninfected individuals (n = 61), assisted at two health centers in Maputo city. The isolates comprised of 99 Salmonella, 45 Shigella and 13 Campylobacter strains. The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was used on Mueller-Hinton II agar for Salmonella and Shigella spp., while Mueller-Hinton II agar with 5% defibrinated sheep blood was used for Campylobacter spp. We tested six antibiotics listed on the national essential medicines list, including ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, azithromycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, gentamicin, and tetracycline.. All isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic. A high percentage of Salmonella spp. isolates were found to be resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (89.9%, n = 89), erythromycin (88.9%, n = 88) and tetracycline (76.8%, n = 76). In addition, 86.6% (n = 39) and 68.9% (n = 31) of Shigella isolates were resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline, respectively. The majority of Campylobacter isolates (92.3%, n = 12) were resistant to erythromycin, azithromycin and tetracycline. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was observed in 79.8% of Salmonella spp., 76.9% of Campylobacter spp., and 57.8% of Shigella spp. Drug susceptibility profiles for Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter were similar in both HIV-1 infected and uninfected patients. However, Shigella spp. isolates obtained from patients without HIV infection were significantly more likely to be resistant to erythromycin, azithromycin or to exhibit multidrug resistance than those obtained from patients with HIV-1 infection (p < 0.05). All Shigella spp. and Campylobacter spp. isolates were susceptible to gentamicin.. Our study highlights concerning rates of antibiotic resistance and MDR among diarrheal bacterial pathogens in Mozambique. Further research is needed to understand the impact of HIV, ART therapy and immunosuppression on antibiotic resistance. Urgent interventions are essential to prevent the spread of resistant strains.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Bacteria; Campylobacter; Diarrhea; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Drug Resistance, Multiple; Erythromycin; Gentamicins; HIV Infections; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mozambique; Salmonella; Sheep; Shigella; Tetracycline; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Post-COVID-19 conditions encompass a wide range of health problems, including enteritis, but their association with parasitic infections has not yet been investigated. This study analyzed gastrointestinal symptoms, medical histories, fecal Cryptosporidium oocysts, and the history of COVID-19 infection in patients who attended the Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, from January to July 2021. Fecal biomarkers, including H. pylori, occult blood, fecal calprotectin (FCAL), and TNF-a, were measured, and Cryptosporidium spp. genotypes were molecularly characterized among post-COVID-19 patients using RFLP. Preliminary results from 210 post-COVID-19 patients revealed that group 1 (Cryptosporidiumpositive) (n = 49) and group 2 (Cryptosporidium-negative) (n = 161) showed no significant difference in the prevalence rate of diabetes mellitus (DM). While group 2 was linked to diarrhea, only infections with Cryptosporidium post-COVID-19 were related to chronic diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss. A total of 220 healthy subjects served as negative controls. Administering azithromycin, hydroxychloroquine, and ivermectin was significantly related to an increased risk of Cryptosporidium infection in group 1, whereas only azithromycin was more frequently recorded in group 2. Antioxidant supplementation insignificantly affected the incidence of cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidiosis with a history of COVID-19 was linked to H. pylori infections, increased inflammatory biomarkers (FCAL and TNF-a), and occult blood when compared with group 2. Cryptosporidium genotype 1 was the most commonly occurring subset in individuals with post-COVID-19. The findings demonstrated that aggravating gastrointestinal manifestations, increased fecal biomarkers and anti-COVID-19 therapeutic interventions are significantly related to the existence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in patients with post-COVID-19, indicating the predominance of.

Topics: Azithromycin; COVID-19; Cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium; Diarrhea; Humans

Acute diarrheal disease is a frequent primary care reason for consultation, leading to direct and indirect health costs in high-income countries. Most patients presenting with acute diarrhea will have a favorable clinical course with just a symptomatic treatment. The challenge for the general practitioner is to identify the patients who need paraclinical exams and/or antibiotics. Molecular identification of pathogens in stool samples has developed over the past years and presents both advantages and limitations. Because of increasing microbial resistance to quinolones in Campylobacter and Shigella strains, azithromycin is now the first choice for an empiric antimicrobial therapy. This article will discuss these latest developments in the management of acute diarrhea in the primary care setting.. Les diarrhées aiguës sont un motif de consultation fréquent en médecine générale et engendrent des coûts directs et indirects importants dans les pays industrialisés. Les cas sont majoritairement bénins et évoluent de manière favorable avec un traitement symptomatique. Le défi pour le médecin généraliste est d’identifier les patient-e-s nécessitant des examens complémentaires et/ou un traitement antibiotique. Ces dernières années, les examens microbiologiques moléculaires des selles se sont développés ; ils ont des avantages, mais également des limitations. Sur le plan thérapeutique, l’azithromycine est désormais à privilégier comme antibiothérapie empirique en raison de l’accroissement du nombre de souches de Campylobacter et Shigella résistantes aux quinolones. Cet article discute ces nouveautés dans la prise en charge des diarrhées aiguës du point de vue du généraliste.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Diarrhea; Humans; Medicine; Primary Health Care

BACKGROUND Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming bacillus. It can lead to pseudomembranous colitis characterized by electrolyte disturbances, toxic megacolon, and septic shock. The risk of C. difficile infection is higher with use of certain classes of antibiotics, or when an antibiotic used for a long time. Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic known to be safe, with few adverse effects such as diarrhea, stomach pain, and constipation. Azithromycin is currently used for the treatment of acne, with different dosing regimens for patients who cannot receive traditional treatment based on practice guidelines. CASE REPORT A 41-year-old woman was treated with a course of azithromycin 500 mg by mouth 3 times weekly for 6 weeks for acne vulgaris. This was her second antibiotic course of acne treatment within 10 months. A few days after completion of the second azithromycin course, she presented to the clinic with worsening abdominal pain and frequent soft bloody stool. A complete blood count test, C. difficile toxin test, stool culture, and colonoscopy were ordered. She was diagnosed with C. difficile infection confirmed by C. difficile toxin and symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Despite the safety profile of azithromycin, our patient was predisposed to a non-severe case of C. difficile-associated diarrhea, most likely due to the repeated course of the azithromycin regimen that was used to treat her acne vulgaris. This report highlights the importance of managing patients with acne vulgaris according to current practice guidelines, and to report a link between the use of azithromycin as an acne treatment and the occurrence of C. difficile colitis.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Clostridioides difficile; Clostridium Infections; Diarrhea; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous; Female; Humans

This study aimed to characterize adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to hydroxychloroquine in the setting of COVID-19, occurring in Italy in the period March to May 2020. The analysis of the combination therapy with azithromycin or/and lopinavir/ritonavir as well as a comparison with ADRs reported throughout 2019 was performed. ADRs collected by the Italian National Network of Pharmacovigilance were analyzed for their incidence, seriousness, outcome, coadministered drugs, and Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities classification. A total of 306 reports were gathered for the quarter of 2020: 54% nonserious and 46% serious, and half of the latter required either the hospitalization or its prolongation. However, most of them were either completely recovered (26%) or in the process of recovery (45%), except for 9 fatal cases. Throughout 2019, 38 reports were collected, 53% nonserious and 47% serious, but no deaths had been reported. Diarrhea, prolonged QT interval, and hypertransaminasemia were the most frequently ADRs reported in 2020, significantly higher than 2019 and specific for COVID-19 subjects treated with hydroxychloroquine. The logistic regression analyses demonstrated that the likelihood of serious ADRs, QT prolongation, and diarrhea significantly increased with hydroxychloroquine dosage. Coadministration of lopinavir/ritonavir and hydroxychloroquine showed a positive correlation with diarrhea and hypertransaminasemia and a negative relationship with the ADR seriousness. The combination therapy with azithromycin was another independent predictor of a serious ADR. Off-label use of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19, alone or in combination regimens, was associated with increased incidence and/or seriousness of specific ADRs in patients with additional risk factors caused by the infection.

Topics: Azithromycin; COVID-19 Drug Treatment; Diarrhea; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Humans; Hydroxychloroquine; Long QT Syndrome; Lopinavir; Off-Label Use; Pharmacovigilance; Ritonavir

Azithromycin is commonly used to treat Neisseria gonorrhoeae. We compared its gastrointestinal side effects using 1 g single, 2 g single or 2 g split (i.e. 1 g plus 1 g 6-12 h later) dosing, representing our clinic's changing guidelines over the study period.. We recruited consecutive sexual health clinic patients who received azithromycin (and 500 mg ceftriaxone) for uncomplicated gonorrhoea. Each patient received a text message 48 h after their attendance to complete a questionnaire.. Patients received 1 g single (n = 271), 2 g single (218) or 2 g split (105) doses. Vomiting was less common for 1 g versus 2 g single dose [1.1% versus 3.7%; risk difference (RD): -2.6%; 95% CI: -0.2 to -5.4] and 2 g split versus 2 g single dose (0.9% versus 3.7%; RD: -2.8%; 95% CI: -0.3 to -5.8). Nausea was less common for 1 g versus 2 g single dose (13.7% versus 43.1%; RD: -29.5%; 95% CI: -21.7 to -37.2) and 2 g split versus 2 g single dose (16.4% versus 43.1%; RD: -26.8; 95% CI: -17.2 to -36.3). Diarrhoea was less common for 1 g versus 2 g single dose (25.5% versus 50.9%; RD: -25.5%; 95% CI: -17.0 to -33.9) and 2 g split versus 2 g single dose (30.9% versus 50.9%; RD: -20.0; 95% CI: -9.1 to -30.9). Almost all were willing to retake the same dosing for gonorrhoea in the future: 97% for 1 g single; 94% for 2 g single; and 97% for 2 g split dose.. Azithromycin 2 g split dose for gonorrhoea resulted in significantly less vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea than a 2 g single dose.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Ceftriaxone; Diarrhea; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Gonorrhea; Humans; Nausea; Neisseria gonorrhoeae; Vomiting

Acute gastroenteritis is one of the most common causes of hospital admission in children. Treatment regimens differ depending on the pathogen. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical features of pediatric patients whose gastrointestinal agents were detected by multiplex PCR.. The study included 131 pediatric patients who were followed up at Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Pediatric Department between January 2018 and December 2021.Gastrointestinal pathogens were detected in stool samples by multiplex PCR. The epidemiological and clinical features were reviewed retrospectively.. A total of 203 gastrointestinal pathogens were detected from the stool samples of 131 cases. Of these cases, 56% were male and 44% were female. The mean age was 66 (2-204) months. The most common symptoms were diarrhea, fever, vomiting and abdominal pain. The pathogen detection rate was 69% by multiplex PCR. A single pathogen was detected in 85 (65%) cases and multiple pathogens were detected in 46 (35%) cases. The most common pathogens were enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC, 23%), Clostridium difficile (21%), norovirus (17%), rotavirus (15%), salmonella (12%) and enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC, 11%). Stool culture was positive in 16 (12%) cases and microscopic examination positive in 17 (13%) cases. Probiotic treatment was given to 119 (92%) cases and antimicrobial treatment (metroinidazole, ceftriaxone, azithromycin and oral vancomycin) to 34 (26%) cases. Of the cases, 56 (42%) had chronic disease, 40 (30%) had a history of previous antibiotic use and 17 (13%) had a history of hospitalization in the intensive care unit.. The sensitivity of the multiplex PCR in the detection of acute gastroenteritis agents is higher than stool microscopy, stool culture and stool antigen tests. However, due to the inability to distinguish between colonization, carrier state and pathogenicity, it should be evaluated together with other diagnostic tests and clinical findings in order to determine whether the determined agent is pathogenic or not and in the regulation of antimicrobial therapy.

Topics: Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Ceftriaxone; Child; Diarrhea; Escherichia coli; Feces; Female; Gastroenteritis; Gastrointestinal Agents; Humans; Infant; Male; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; Retrospective Studies; Vancomycin

Topics: Adult; Azithromycin; Bacteria; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Diarrhea; Escherichia coli; Feces; Female; Gastroenteritis; Gastrointestinal Tract; Hand Hygiene; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sapovirus; Sensitivity and Specificity; Viruses

Topics: Acute Disease; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Campylobacter Infections; Campylobacter jejuni; Colchicine; Diarrhea; Electrocardiography; Female; Foodborne Diseases; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Middle Aged; Myocarditis; Pericarditis; Troponin I; Tubulin Modulators

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a viral pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease started as an epidemic in China in December 2019 that later achieved a pandemic potential spreading to over 210 countries with more than 3.5 million confirmed cases and close to 250,000 deaths till date. Its symptoms most commonly include, dry cough, fever, myalgia, and fatigue. As the number of new cases keeps on rising, many patients have been documented with gastrointestinal manifestations such as diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain. We report a case of a 23-year-old female who presented with the primary complaint of diarrhoea, after positive contact history with a COVID-19 patient. Key Words: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Pneumonia, ARDS, Diarrhoea.

Topics: Azithromycin; Betacoronavirus; Coronavirus; Coronavirus Infections; Cough; COVID-19; Diarrhea; Female; Fever; Humans; Hydroxychloroquine; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; SARS-CoV-2; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

At present, azithromycin has become an effective treatment for severe diarrhea caused by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infection. However, enterobacteria have begun to develop resistance to azithromycin and have attracted attention in recent years. This study conducted to described the emergence of a high proportion of azithromycin-resistant ETEC serogroup O6 strains in Shanghai and to analyzed the mechanisms of azithromycin resistance.. Strains from adult diarrhea patients with ETEC serogroup O6 infections were collected by Shanghai Diarrhea Surveillance Network and the Foodborne Surveillance Network from 2016 to 2018. We tested 30 isolates of ETEC O6 serogroup, 26 of which were resistant to azithromycin. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these ETEC serogroup O6 strains have formed an independent dominant clone. S1-PFGE and southern blotting revealed the presence of the mphA gene on the 103 kb plasmid. Illumina and Nanopore sequencing and plasmid coverage analysis further confirmed that azithromycin-resistant strains carried a novel IncFII plasmid harboring mphA and blaTEM-1 resistance genes.. This is the first study to report a high proportion of azithromycin resistance in a particular ETEC serogroup due to a specific plasmid carrying mphA. Our findings indicate the rapid spread of azithromycin resistance, highlighting the urgency of stringent surveillance and control measure.

Topics: Adult; Azithromycin; China; Diarrhea; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Proteins; Genome Size; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Phosphotransferases; Phylogeny; Plasmids; Population Surveillance; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Serogroup; Young Adult

In late 2019, a new coronavirus-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-was discovered in Wuhan, China, and the World Health Organization later declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a pandemic. Numerous drugs have been repurposed and investigated for therapeutic effectiveness in the disease, including those from "Solidarity," an international clinical trial (azithromycin, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, the fixed combination lopinavir/ritonavir, and remdesivir).. Our objective was to evaluate adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting for drugs when used in the treatment of COVID-19 compared with use for other indications, specifically focussing on sex differences.. We extracted reports on COVID-19-specific treatments from the global ADR database, VigiBase, using an algorithm developed to identify reports that listed COVID-19 as the indication. The Solidarity trial drugs were included, as were any drugs reported ≥ 100 times. We performed a descriptive comparison of reports for the same drugs used in non-COVID-19 indications. The data lock point date was 7 June 2020.. In total, 2573 reports were identified for drugs used in the treatment of COVID-19. In order of frequency, the most reported ADRs were electrocardiogram QT-prolonged, diarrhoea, nausea, hepatitis, and vomiting in males and diarrhoea, electrocardiogram QT-prolonged, nausea, vomiting, and upper abdominal pain in females. Other hepatic and kidney-related events were included in the top ten ADRs in males, whereas no hepatic or renal terms were reported for females. COVID-19-related reporting patterns differed from non-pandemic reporting for these drugs.. Review of a global database of suspected ADR reports revealed sex differences in the reporting patterns for drugs used in the treatment of COVID-19. Patterns of ADR sex differences need further elucidation.

Topics: Abdominal Pain; Adenosine Monophosphate; Alanine; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antiviral Agents; Azithromycin; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Chloroquine; COVID-19 Drug Treatment; Databases, Pharmaceutical; Diarrhea; Drug Combinations; Drug Eruptions; Drug Repositioning; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Female; Humans; Hydroxychloroquine; Long QT Syndrome; Lopinavir; Male; Nausea; Oseltamivir; Ritonavir; Sex Distribution; Sex Factors; Vomiting

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Campylobacter; Campylobacter jejuni; Ciprofloxacin; Diarrhea; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Erythromycin; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Tetracycline

We conducted a comprehensive investigation to update our knowledge of traveler's diarrhea (TD) etiology and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Nepal.. A case-control study of TD etiology was conducted at the CIWEC Clinic Travel Medicine Center in Kathmandu from 2012 to 2014. Stool samples were tested by microscopy, culture and molecular techniques for identification of bacterial, viral and parasitic enteric pathogens, and AMR. We analysed patient demographic data, pre-treatment information and clinical outcomes.. We enrolled 433 TD cases and 209 non-diarrhea controls. At least one of enteric pathogens was identified among 82% of cases and 44% of controls (P < 0.001). Multiple pathogens were observed among 35% of cases and 10% of controls. The most common pathogens significantly identified among cases in comparison with controls were Campylobacter (20%), norovirus (17%), enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) (12%), rotavirus (9%) and Shigella (8%) (P < 0.001). We noted Campylobacter, Shigella and ETEC resistance to azithromycin at 8, 39 and 22% and to ciprofloxacin at 97, 78 and 23%, respectively.. Among travellers to Nepal with TD, viral pathogens were commonly found and norovirus was the second most common pathogen after campylobacter. We noted increased AMR to fluoroquinolones (FQs) and azithromycin (AZM). There is heightened concern for AZM treatment failures, though this continues to remain the drug of choice for TD treatment in our setting where FQs should not be used.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Infective Agents; Azithromycin; Campylobacter; Case-Control Studies; Diarrhea; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Escherichia coli; Female; Fluoroquinolones; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Nepal; Norovirus; Travel; Travel Medicine; Young Adult

Antimicrobial overuse contributes to antimicrobial resistance. Empiric use of antimicrobials for diarrheal illness is warranted only in a minority of cases, because of its self-limiting nature and multifactorial etiology. This study aims to describe the factors contributing to antimicrobial overuse for diarrheal disease among children less than 5 years of age in rural Bangladesh. A total of 3,570 children less than 5 years of age presenting with diarrhea in a tertiary level hospital were enrolled in the study. The rate of antimicrobial use at home was 1,395 (39%), compared with 2,084 (89%) during a hospital visit. In a multivariate analysis, factors associated with antimicrobial use at home included residence located more than 5 miles from a hospital; use of zinc and oral rehydration salts at home; vomiting; greater than 10 stools per 24 hours; diarrheal duration greater than 3 days; and rotavirus diarrhea (

Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Azithromycin; Bangladesh; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diarrhea; Dysentery, Bacillary; Erythromycin; Feces; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Multivariate Analysis; Prescription Drug Overuse; Risk Factors; Rotavirus Infections; Rural Population; Serotyping; Shigella; Tertiary Care Centers; Time Factors

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antidiarrheals; Azithromycin; Boston; Ciprofloxacin; Diarrhea; Dysentery; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Loperamide; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Self Report; Travel; Young Adult

Topics: Acetaminophen; Acetazolamide; Altitude; Altitude Sickness; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antitrichomonal Agents; Azithromycin; Diarrhea; Diuretics; Fatigue; Hand Disinfection; Hand Sanitizers; Headache; Humans; Nausea; Nepal; Rest; Running; Tinidazole; Vomiting

Diarrheal disease affects a large proportion of military personnel deployed to developing countries, resulting in decreased job performance and operational readiness. Travelers' diarrhea is self-limiting and generally resolves within 5 days; however, antibiotic treatment significantly reduces symptom severity and duration of illness. Presently, azithromycin is the preferred first-line antibiotic for the treatment of acute watery diarrhea (single dose 500 mg), as well as for febrile diarrhea and dysentery (single dose 1,000 mg). Levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin are also options for acute watery diarrhea (single dose 500 mg and 750 mg, respectively) and febrile diarrhea/dysentery in areas with high rates of Shigella (500 mg once for 3 days [once daily with levofloxacin and twice daily with ciprofloxacin]), but are becoming less effective because of increasing fluoroquinolone resistance, particularly among Campylobacter spp. Another alternate for acute watery diarrhea is rifaximin (200 mg 3 times per day for 3 days); however, it should not be used with invasive illness. Use of loperamide in combination with antibiotic treatment is also beneficial as it has been shown to further reduce gastrointestinal symptoms and duration of illness. Because of regional differences in the predominance of pathogens and resistance levels, choice of antibiotic should take travel destination into consideration.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Ciprofloxacin; Developing Countries; Diarrhea; Dysentery; Humans; Levofloxacin; Military Personnel; Rifamycins; Rifaximin

Topics: Administration, Oral; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Diarrhea; Feces; Female; Humans; Salmonella; Travel; Typhoid-Paratyphoid Vaccines; Young Adult

The emergence of mobile technology offers new opportunities to improve clinical guideline adherence in resource-limited settings. We conducted a clinical pilot study in rural Bangladesh to evaluate the impact of a smartphone adaptation of the World Health Organization (WHO) diarrheal disease management guidelines, including a modality for age-based weight estimation. Software development was guided by end-user input and evaluated in a resource-limited district and sub-district hospital during the fall 2015 cholera season; both hospitals lacked scales which necessitated weight estimation. The study consisted of a 6 week pre-intervention and 6 week intervention period with a 10-day post-discharge follow-up. Standard of care was maintained throughout the study with the exception that admitting clinicians used the tool during the intervention. Inclusion criteria were patients two months of age and older with uncomplicated diarrheal disease. The primary outcome was adherence to guidelines for prescriptions of intravenous (IV) fluids, antibiotics and zinc. A total of 841 patients were enrolled (325 pre-intervention; 516 intervention). During the intervention, the proportion of prescriptions for IV fluids decreased at the district and sub-district hospitals (both p < 0.001) with risk ratios (RRs) of 0.5 and 0.2, respectively. However, when IV fluids were prescribed, the volume better adhered to recommendations. The proportion of prescriptions for the recommended antibiotic azithromycin increased (p < 0.001 district; p = 0.035 sub-district) with RRs of 6.9 (district) and 1.6 (sub-district) while prescriptions for other antibiotics decreased; zinc adherence increased. Limitations included an absence of a concurrent control group and no independent dehydration assessment during the pre-intervention. Despite limitations, opportunities were identified to improve clinical care, including better assessment, weight estimation, and fluid/ antibiotic selection. These findings demonstrate that a smartphone-based tool can improve guideline adherence. This study should serve as a catalyst for a randomized controlled trial to expand on the findings and address limitations.

Topics: Adolescent; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Bangladesh; Child; Child, Preschool; Dehydration; Diarrhea; Female; Guideline Adherence; Health Resources; Humans; Infant; Male; Pilot Projects; Smartphone; Zinc

Topics: Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Bacteremia; Ceftriaxone; Diagnosis, Differential; Diarrhea; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Paratyphoid Fever; Recurrence; Salmonella paratyphi A; Travel Medicine

Acute diarrhea remains the serious problem in developing countries, especially among children under 5 years of age. Currently, only two or three common diarrhea pathogens were screened at most hospitals in China. The aim of this study was to provide a wide variety of diarrhea pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance patterns in children under 5 years of age.. Totally 381 stool samples collected from Tongji Hospital between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015 were tested by culture and/or polymerase chain reaction for eight kinds of bacteria and five kinds of viruses. An antimicrobial sensitivity test was performed using dilution method recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute.. Viral infections were mainly identified in infants (0-11 months), whereas bacterial infections were more prevalent in the age of 24-59 months. About 69.8% of samples were positive for at least one pathogen, 51.7% of samples were virus positive, followed by bacteria positive cases (19.4%), and 12.6% of cases displayed co-infections with two viruses or a virus and a bacterium. Rotavirus was the most prevalent pathogen, followed closely by norovirus, while Salmonella was the most commonly isolated bacteria, followed by diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) and Campylobacter. More than 40% of Salmonella spp. and DEC isolates were resistant to first-line antibiotics (ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline). Around 10% of Salmonella spp. isolates were resistant to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin simultaneously. Campylobacter spp. displayed high resistance to ciprofloxacin but kept low resistance to azithromycin and doxycycline.. The etiology of acute diarrhea varies in children of different age groups. The high frequency of infection with viruses suggests the urgent demand for new viral vaccine development. Proper use of antibiotics in the treatment of acute diarrhea is crucial due to the high level of antibiotic resistance.

Topics: Acute Disease; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Campylobacter; Child, Preschool; China; Ciprofloxacin; Diarrhea; Doxycycline; Escherichia coli; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Salmonella

Topics: Abdominal Pain; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Azithromycin; Bacterial Proteins; Bacterial Toxins; Clostridioides difficile; Diarrhea; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous; Enterotoxins; Feces; Humans; Male; Metronidazole

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Campylobacter Infections; Diagnosis, Differential; Diarrhea; Feces; Female; Helminths; Humans; Infant; Microscopy; Musa

Topics: Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Antidiarrheals; Azithromycin; Beverages; Chemoprevention; Diarrhea; Female; Food; Humans; Loperamide; Risk Factors; Travel

To date Cryptosporidium muris has been identified by microscopy and genotyping in cats in two studies. We report morphological and genetic evidence of a mixed C. muris and C. felis infection in a cat and provide the first histological, immunohistochemical, in situ hybridisation and genetic confirmation of a C. muris infection in the stomach of a cat. The cat suffered persistent diarrhoea after the initial consultation, which remained unresolved, despite several medical interventions. Further studies are required to determine the range, prevalence and clinical impact of Cryptosporidium species infecting cats.

Topics: Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents; Azithromycin; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium; Diarrhea; Male

The incidence rates of travelers' diarrhea (TD) have remained high for the last 50 years. More recently, there have been increasing recommendations for self-initiated therapy and use of prophylactic drugs for TD. We last examined the in vitro susceptibilities of commonly used antibiotics against TD pathogens in 1997. We now examine 456 enteropathogens isolated from adult travelers to Mexico, India, and Guatemala with diarrhea acquired between 2006 and 2008 to determine changes in susceptibility against 10 different antimicrobials by the agar dilution method. Traditional antibiotics, such as ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and doxycycline, continue to show high levels of resistance. Current first-line antibiotic agents, including fluoroquinolones and azithromycin, showed significantly higher MICs than in our earlier study, and MIC(90) levels were above the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute cutoffs for resistance. There were significant geographical differences in resistance patterns when Central America was compared with India. Entertoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) isolates showed increased resistance to ciprofloxacin (P = 0.023) and levofloxacin (P = 0.0078) in India compared with Central America. Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) isolates from Central America showed increased resistance to nearly all of the antibiotics tested. Compared to MICs of isolates 10 years prior, there were 4- to 10-fold increases in MIC(90) values for ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and azithromycin for both ETEC and EAEC. There were no significant changes in rifaximin MICs. Rising MICs over time imply the need for continuous surveillance of susceptibility patterns worldwide and geographically specific recommendations in TD therapy.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Ciprofloxacin; Diarrhea; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Guatemala; Humans; India; Mexico; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Rifamycins; Rifaximin; Travel

The development of a single-dose extended release formulation of azithromycin (AZ-SR) improves the adherence. However, gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhea are frequent adverse drug reactions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of patient-reported in a diarrhea and the convenience of intake of AZ-SR in an Asian population. To assess the incidence of diarrhea and convenience of intake, patient-reported in a questionnaire about the incidence, onset, duration and severity of diarrhea, shape of stool, and patients' impression on taste. The drug was prepared and used in common with the hospital pharmacy and the community pharmacy. AZ-SR was prescribed in 96 outpatients, among whom 81 patients received the medicine and the questionnaire at the hospital pharmacy or one of five neighboring community pharmacies. The recovery of the questionnaire was 40.7%. Diarrhea occurred in 18 of 33 patients (54.5%), which was more frequent than in earlier reports, although the symptom was mild (grade 1-2) and occurred in most cases within 2 days. Approximately one third of patients reported inconvenience in taking the formulation in respect of the ease (36.4%), amount (42.4%), and unpleasant bitter taste (36.4%). We report here the importance of collaboration between hospital pharmacists and community pharmacists in providing accurate drug information, including the incidence of diarrhea, to patients receiving AZ-SR.

Topics: Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Community Pharmacy Services; Data Collection; Delayed-Action Preparations; Diarrhea; Female; Humans; Japan; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Satisfaction; Pharmacy Service, Hospital; Surveys and Questionnaires

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Child, Preschool; Cholera; Dehydration; Diagnosis, Differential; Diarrhea; Epidemics; Fluid Therapy; Haiti; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Male; Vibrio cholerae; Vomiting

A cohort study was designed to assess the impact of mass distribution of azithromycin (MDA) for trachoma control on incidence over six months of pediatric diarrhea in eight communities in rural Tanzania. A single dose of azithromycin was offered to all residents in four communities, where trachoma prevalence was ≥ 10%. Four geographically matched communities had trachoma prevalences < 10% and did not receive MDA. All randomly selected children (n = 1036) were followed-up for six months post-MDA with bi-weekly surveillance at home. In the 0-1-month and 1-3-month periods, MDA exposure was associated with a 39% (rate ratio = 0.61, 95% confidence interval = 0.39-0.95) and 24% (rate ratio = 0.76, 95% confidence interval = 0.54-1.07) lower risk of diarrhea, respectively, compared with those unexposed, after adjustment for clustering and covariates. By the 3-6-month period, diarrhea incidence was comparable between groups. Thus, MDA was associated with a short-term reduction in diarrheal morbidity in children.

Topics: Azithromycin; Cohort Studies; Diarrhea; Endemic Diseases; Female; Humans; Multivariate Analysis; Risk Factors; Tanzania; Trachoma

The need to limit unnecessary antibiotic treatments and recent studies with unusual antibiotics in pediatrics (fluoroquinolones) or in digestive tract infections (azithromycin) have led to update the treatment of acute gastro-enteritis. In 2007, the European Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and the European Society for Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition have issued guidelines. The proven shigellosis as well as the strong suspicion have to be treated promptly with antibiotics, mainly azithromycin. There is no argument to treat moderate salmonella gastroenteritis or carriage. However, the severe cases and those occurring in high risk patient must be treated (ciprofloxacin or ceftriaxone). It is recommended to treat diarrhoea due to Campylobacter jejuni in case of early diagnosis. The presumptive antibiotic treatment should be limited but can not be dismissed, in invasive cases gastro-enteritis, especially in traveller children.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Bacterial Infections; Campylobacter Infections; Campylobacter jejuni; Ceftriaxone; Child; Ciprofloxacin; Diarrhea; Dysentery, Bacillary; Escherichia coli Infections; Gastroenteritis; Humans; Salmonella Infections

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Diarrhea; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Humans; Military Personnel; Ofloxacin; Thailand; Travel

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Cholera; Diarrhea; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Fluid Therapy; Global Health; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; Humans; Sanitation; Vibrio cholerae; Water Microbiology

Topics: Administration, Oral; Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Diarrhea; Drug Administration Schedule; Fatigue; Female; Humans; Jaundice; Liver; Respiratory Tract Infections

Four children on chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia presented with severe diarrhea and dehydration. Cryptosporidium was identified in the stools using modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain. Two of them received paromomycin and responded well. One was started on paromomycin for 10 days and although there was clinical improvement, his stools examination continued to be positive for Cryptosporidium. He then received azithromycin for 10 days. He responded well and his stools became negative for Cryptosporidium. The fourth patient received azithromycin from the start and responded well. Cryptosporidium should be considered in all immunocompromised children with severe or prolonged diarrhea, and since it is not seen in a routine ova and parasite examination, the laboratory should be notified for diagnostic confirmation using modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain. Immunocompromised children with Cryptosporidium diarrhea may benefit from paromomycin or azithromycin therapy.

Topics: Amebicides; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Child, Preschool; Cryptosporidiosis; Diarrhea; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Male; Paromomycin; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma

Comparative and trend analysis was conducted on annual prevalence of antimicrobial susceptibility among Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli recovered from rural Egyptian children from 1995 through 2000. C. jejuni and C. coli demonstrated significant decreasing trends in ciprofloxacin susceptibility over the study period (p < 0.001 for both). In general, C. coli demonstrated a higher degree of susceptibility than C. jejuni, however, there was no statistical difference (p = 0.2) comparing the linear trends over the duration of the study. There was no indication of frank macrolide (erythromycin or azithromycin) resistance among any Campylobacter. Moreover, there were statistically significant positive trends in both the MIC(50) and MIC(90) values for the erythromycin and azithromycin during the study period, suggesting a possible decreasing trend in susceptibility among Campylobacter. This study demonstrated that antimicrobial susceptibility in Campylobacter has significantly decreased from 1995 through 2000 among pediatric diarrhea cases in rural Egypt.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Campylobacter coli; Campylobacter Infections; Campylobacter jejuni; Child; Child, Preschool; Ciprofloxacin; Diarrhea; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Egypt; Erythromycin; Female; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Pediatrics; Probability; Rural Population; Sensitivity and Specificity

A prospective observational study was conducted to determine the prevalence and the clinical impact of intestinal parasitic infections in diarrheal illness among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected children hospitalized with diarrhea in Bangkok, Thailand. Stool samples were examined for intestinal parasites using a simple smear method, a formalin-ether concentration method, a modified acid-fast stain and a modified trichrome stain. Intestinal parasites (IP) were identified in the stool specimens of 27 of 82 (33%) HIV-infected and 12 of 80 (15%) HIV-uninfected children (p=0.01). Microsporidia and Cryptosporidium were the most common IP found. Eighty-two percent of HIV-infected and 97% of HIV-uninfected groups presented with acute diarrhea and 76% of each group had watery diarrhea. Pneumonia was the most common concurrent illness, found in 22%. Clinical findings were unable to differentiate children infected with IP. Sixty-three percent of HIV-infected and 83% of HIV-uninfected children who had IP made a satisfactory recovery without specific anti-parasitic therapy. However, 9 children (7 HIV-infected and 2 HIV-uninfected) with persistent diarrhea who also had cryptosporidiosis and/or microsporidiosis did not respond to azithromycin and/or albendazole respectively. HIV-infected children with cryptosporidiosis were older and had more advanced HIV infection than those with microsporidiosis. Routine stool examination for IP should be considered due to the absence of clinical markers. The lack of effective therapy for the major IP found underscores the importance of preventive measures.

Topics: AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Albendazole; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antiprotozoal Agents; Azithromycin; Child; Diarrhea; HIV Seronegativity; HIV Seropositivity; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Thailand

Antibiotic resistance trends were examined for Shigella species, nontyphoidal Salmonella species, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), and Campylobacter species isolates from indigenous persons and travelers in Thailand for up to 15 years. Resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was found in >90% of Shigella and 40% of ETEC and nontyphoidal Salmonella isolates. Resistance to nalidixic acid was found in 97%-100% of Shigella dysenteriae 1 strains isolated between 1992 and 1995. Ciprofloxacin resistance was detected in 1% of ETEC isolates in 1994 and 1995 and in one of 349 nontyphoidal Salmonella isolates in 1995. Ciprofloxacin resistance among Campylobacter species increased from zero before 1991 to 84% in 1995 (P < .0001). Azithromycin resistance was found in 7%-15% of Campylobacter isolates in 1994 and 1995, as well as 15% of ETEC and 3% of Salmonella isolates in 1995. Enteric pathogens in Thailand have developed resistance to virtually all antibiotics routinely used in the treatment of diarrhea, as well as the newer fluoroquinolone and macrolide classes of drugs.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Azithromycin; Ciprofloxacin; Diarrhea; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Escherichia coli; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Salmonella; Shigella; Shigella dysenteriae; Thailand; Travel

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Azithromycin; Campylobacter; Campylobacter Infections; Ciprofloxacin; Diarrhea; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Humans; Military Personnel; Thailand; Travel; United States

Cryptosporidium parvum intestinal infection in immunodeficient patients can cause severe intestinal fluid losses with severe dehydration or chronic diarrhea with malnutrition. Therapies tried in human beings and animals include paromomycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, octreotide, hyperimmune bovine colostrum, and bovine transfer factor. No specific therapy has been found to be consistently beneficial to children. We report azithromycin treatment of four children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who had severe diarrheal illnesses in which Cryptosporidium parvum was the sole pathogen detected. Three of these children had a marked decrease in stool volume and frequency within 36 hours of initiating therapy and resolution of diarrhea within 5 days; Cryptosporidium organisms became undetectable on examination of stool or colonic biopsy or by both after therapy was discontinued. A fourth patient required prolonged therapy with azithromycin to achieve clearance. Azithromycin therapy should be considered for immunocompromised patients with intestinal Cryptosporidium infection.

Topics: Adolescent; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Child; Child, Preschool; Colon; Cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium parvum; Diarrhea; Feces; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Male

To report a patient with non-HIV-related cryptosporidial diarrhea who was treated effectively with a regimen of high-dose azithromycin therapy.. A 42-year-old immunocompetent man contracted cryptosporidiosis from an ailing calf that he had purchased. He finally was admitted to the hospital because of excessive weight loss and profuse diarrhea. The patient was started on a course of high-dose azithromycin therapy and symptoms resolved within 48 hours. Follow-up stool cultures were negative for the parasite.. Although usually associated with immunocompromised patients, cryptosporidiosis occurs in immunocompetent hosts in a significant portion of the reported cases each year. Although self-limiting in most cases in this population, the disease can be severe at times and require treatment. Paromomycin therapy has been used in the past with good results. Although macrolides have had erratic effects against this parasite in the past, azithromycin (an azalide) demonstrated good efficacy in this patient.. Azithromycin has demonstrated that it may be an effective option for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis in immunocompromised patients. Studies involving its use in immunocompromised patients are currently underway.

Topics: Adult; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Cryptosporidiosis; Diarrhea; Feces; Humans; Immunocompetence; Male; Zoonoses

Azithromycin, a new azalide antibiotic, is active in vitro against a variety of enteric bacterial pathogens. Since it is concentrated inside human neutrophils and other cells, it might be particularly useful in the treatment of infections caused by enteropathogens that invade host tissues. The intracellular activity of azithromycin against several enteric pathogens that had been phagocytosed by neutrophils was determined. Azithromycin was effective in reducing the intracellular viabilities of almost all strains tested, including representative strains of Salmonella, Shigella, and enteroinvasive, enteropathogenic, enterotoxigenic, and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli. Erythromycin was also effective in this model system, although azithromycin was generally more effective than erythromycin against strains of invasive enteric pathogens. Cefotaxime reduced intracellular bacterial viability to a lesser extent than either azithromycin or erythromycin. The presence of neutrophils did not significantly affect the activity of azithromycin in this system. Azithromycin may be a useful agent for the treatment of bacterial diarrhea, and clinical trials should be considered.

Topics: Azithromycin; Cefotaxime; Diarrhea; Enterobacteriaceae; Erythromycin; Escherichia coli; Humans; Intestines; Intracellular Fluid; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Neutrophils; Phagocytosis

Two children with cancer received azithromycin for Cryptosporidium-associated diarrhea that was unresponsive to supportive care. One child had choleriform diarrhea requiring daily fluid replacement of up to 65% of his total body weight; the other had protracted diarrhea and wasting. In both cases, administration of azithromycin was followed by prompt clinical improvement.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Azithromycin; Child, Preschool; Combined Modality Therapy; Cryptosporidiosis; Diarrhea; Diarrhea, Infantile; Drug Evaluation; Erythromycin; Fluid Therapy; Humans; Infant; Male; Mediastinal Neoplasms; Neuroblastoma; Opportunistic Infections; Sarcoma