A Double-Blind Randomized Trial of Cefixime Compared to Rifampin in the Eradication of Meningococcal Pharyngeal Carriage in a Closed Population
Abstract
Rifampin is recommended as prophylactic treatment for household contacts and closed-group associates of individuals who develop invasive meningococcal infections. A 2-day course of rifampin in a twice daily 600 mg oral dose is the currently recommended treatment regimen for adults. This study compares the eradication rates of pharyngeal carriage of Neisseria meningitidis among Egyptian military recruits with rifampin 2-day therapy and cefixime in a single and 2-day course of therapy. Two hundred forty seven Egyptian military recruits with N. meningitidis pharyngeal carriage living in a closed barracks setting were treated in Cairo between January and April 1990. An additional 85 remained untreated but participated in follow-up cultures. Participation recruits were randomized to either a cefixime 400 mg single dose for two consecutive days, a single 800 mg dose of cefixime for one day, or rifampin 600 mg twice per day for two days. Follow-up cultures were obtained from all 7 to 10 days after the initial cultures. Four of 81 meningococcal colonized subjects in the cefixime 400 mg 2-day regimen and 2 of 94 colonized subjects in the rifampin 2-day treatment regimen remained positive on the follow-up cultures. The cefixime 400 mg 2-day regimen appears as effective as 2-day rifampin the in eradicating meningococcal pharyngeal carriage in a closed-group setting.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA284794
Entities
People
- A. Abdel- Moneim
- John K. Podgore
- M. El-refai
- Nabil I. Girgis
Organizations
- Naval Medical Research Center