zithromax and Meningococcal-Infections

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of azithromycin compared with rifampin for eradication of nasopharyngeal carriage of Neisseria meningitidis. Pharyngeal swabs were obtained from 500 students attending nursing school in Cairo, Egypt, to determine the colonization rate with N. meningitidis. Colonized individuals were randomized to receive azithromycin (500 mg once) or rifampin (600 mg twice daily for four doses). Subjects were then recultured 1 and 2 weeks posttreatment to determine the effectiveness of the antibiotic therapy for eradication of meningococcal nasopharyngeal colonization.. Individuals treated with azithromycin had a 93% eradication rate at 1 and 2 weeks posttreatment comparable with 95 and 91%, respectively, for rifampin. No significant side effects were reported by any subjects treated with either antibiotic.. Azithromycin is effective in the eradication of N. meningitidis from the nasopharynx of asymptomatic colonized individuals and deserves further evaluation for use as prophylaxis against N. meningitidis.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibiotics, Antitubercular; Azithromycin; Carrier State; Humans; Meningococcal Infections; Nasopharynx; Neisseria meningitidis; Rifampin

Neisseria meningitidis sequence type 11 is an emerging cause of urethritis. We demonstrate by using whole-genome sequencing orogenital transmission of a N. meningitidis sequence type 11 isolate causing urethritis in a monogamous couple of men who have sex with men. These results suggest dissemination of this clonal complex among low-risk patients.

Topics: Acute Disease; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Ceftriaxone; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Humans; Injections, Intramuscular; Male; Meningococcal Infections; Neisseria meningitidis; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Treatment Outcome; Urethritis; Whole Genome Sequencing; Young Adult

Topics: Adult; Azithromycin; Ceftriaxone; HIV Infections; Humans; Male; Meningococcal Infections; Neisseria meningitidis; Unsafe Sex; Urethritis

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Ceftriaxone; Ciprofloxacin; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Meningococcal Infections; Meningococcal Vaccines; Minnesota; Neisseria meningitidis; North Dakota; Rifampin

A 16-year-old heterosexual man presented to our hospital with a purulent urethral discharge and pain at voiding. These symptoms began seven days after oral-genital contact (fellatio) with his partner. A Gram-stained smear from the urethral discharge showed Gram-negative diplococci, and the antigen of Chlamydia trachomatis from urine was positive. We initially made a diagnosis of urethritis caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis. However, N. meningitidis was isolated by culture. Clinicians should pay attention to the possibility of N. meningitidis infection in all cases resembling gonococcal urethritis.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Chlamydia Infections; Chlamydia trachomatis; Contact Tracing; Humans; Male; Meningococcal Infections; Neisseria meningitidis; Spectinomycin; Treatment Outcome; Urethritis

Topics: Adult; Anti-Infective Agents; Azithromycin; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Heterosexuality; Humans; Male; Meningococcal Infections; Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup C; Quinolones; Urethritis

Meningococci responsible for significant morbidity and mortality rates in children are found in the oropharynx and nasopharynx and communicated with droplets. In this study, the prevalence of nasopharyngeal Neisseria meningitidis carriage, serogroup distribution and antibiotic resistance were determined among healthy children in Cankaya municipality of Ankara province. The study involved 1155 students aged 7-19 years. Systematic sampling method was used for sample selection. To isolate N. meningitidis, modified Thayer-Martin medium was used. The antibiotic susceptibilities of N. meningitidis isolates were determined by agar dilution method for penicillin, sulfadiazine, rifampicin, and azithromycin. N. meningitidis carriage prevalence was found as 10.4% with serogroup B being the most predominant (47.5%). The prevalence of N. meningitidis carriage was found to be closely associated with living conditions however, tonsillectomy, tonsillar hypertrophy, passive or active smoking did not affect the rate of carriage. Overcrowded life style, use of old-fashioned stoves for heating, and living in shanty housing were determined as risk factors increasing N. meningitidis carriage. None of the strains showed beta-lactamase activity, and five strains (4.2%) had decreased sensitivity to penicillin. The resistance against sulfadiazine was 54.4%, while it was 26.9% against azithromycin. No rifampicin-resistant strain were detected. It can be concluded that the prevalence of meningococcal carriage in this study was similar to that of other European countries. Rifampicin should be the first drug of choice both for the treatment of meningococcal carriers and for the prophylaxis of the subjects who had been in contact with patients with meningococcal infection.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Carrier State; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Meningococcal Infections; Nasopharynx; Neisseria meningitidis; Penicillins; Prevalence; Rifampin; Risk Factors; Serotyping; Sulfadiazine; Turkey

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Azithromycin; Child; Ciprofloxacin; Humans; Meningococcal Infections

To assess the efficacy of azithromycin as a chemoprophylactic agent in meningococcal disease in pre-school aged children, and the safety of ciprofloxacin in children aged 6-16 years old.. After classic chemoprophylaxis with rifampicin failed to control a school outbreak of meningococcal disease in Cantabria (Spain), a second cycle of chemoprophylaxis was administered in the school. Azithromycin was administered in the nursery level (99 children, aged 3-5 years old) and ciprofloxacin was administered in the primary and secondary levels (795 children, aged 6-16 years old) and in the school's adult personnel (58 persons). The efficacy of chemoprophylaxis was studied through records of cases of meningococcal disease, the mandatory disease reporting system, and the school's absences. The safety of ciprofloxacin was studied using a questionnaire designed to determine the incidence of adverse osteoarticular effects, which was distributed to parents, school personnel and pediatricians within the school's area.. The chemoprophylaxis administered controlled the outbreak. We collected 764 questionnaIres (response rate: 89.5 %). The incidence of arthralgia after ciprofloxacin was 0.9% in children and 3.3% in adults. All were mild and self-limiting without specific treatment, except in one patient (in the adult group) in whom arthralgia was present 1 month after prophylactic treatment. However, the arthralgia was so mild that the patient had not consulted her physician. Only three children had sought medical advice for arthralgia. Consequently, the incidence that would have been detected by the Spanish pharmacovigilance system would have been 0.4% in children and 0% in adults.. Azithromycin was effective in controlling the outbreak in children aged between 3 and 5 years. Ciprofloxacin was safe and effective, with no serious or persistent osteoarticular effects in children. The incidence of arthralgia was lower in children than in adults.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Azithromycin; Child; Child, Preschool; Ciprofloxacin; Disease Outbreaks; Female; Humans; Male; Meningococcal Infections; Middle Aged; Sex Factors