What is the appropriate treatment for the management of rectal Chlamydia trachomatis in men and women?

Sex Transm Infect. 2012 Aug;88(5):352-4. doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2011-050466. Epub 2012 Apr 19.

Abstract

Background: There is no UK guidance specifically for the management of rectal Chlamydia trachomatis yet there is documented treatment failure with single-dose azithromycin suggesting that test of cure (TOC) and alternative treatment may be needed.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of single-dose azithromycin compared with 1 week of doxycycline in the treatment of rectal C trachomatis.

Methods: Data were collected prospectively on all patients diagnosed with rectal C trachomatis who received azithromycin 1 g stat between 1 January and 30 June 2010 and between 1 October 2010 and 31 March 2011 following a local change in treatment protocol to 1 week of doxycycline 100 mg twice a day. Information was collected on gender, concurrent sexually transmitted infections, treatment received, re-infection risk, re-treatment and TOC at 6 weeks.

Results: 11 patients (26.2%) had a positive TOC following treatment with stat azithromycin. The risk of re-infection was excluded in two, identifying nine of the 11 (81.8%) as treatment failures. Two patients had a positive TOC following treatment with 1 week of doxycycline, both were found to have a risk of re-infection. There was a significantly higher treatment failure rate in patients receiving azithromycin (p=0.0025).

Conclusions: A higher treatment failure rate was found following azithromycin for rectal C trachomatis than previously published. If azithromycin is used for treatment of rectal C trachomatis, TOC may be required or alternative treatment with doxycycline may be preferable, but further data are required.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Azithromycin / administration & dosage
  • Chlamydia Infections / drug therapy*
  • Chlamydia Infections / microbiology*
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / isolation & purification*
  • Doxycycline / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Rectal Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Rectal Diseases / microbiology*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United Kingdom

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Azithromycin
  • Doxycycline