In vitro activity of azithromycin in Chlamydia trachomatis [ATTIVITA IN VITRO DI AZITROMICINA NEI CONFRONTI DI CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS]

Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is recognized as one of the most important human sexually transmitted pathogens, with an estimated 4 million infections each year in USA. The most important clinical manifestation in infected patients includes non gonococcal and post-gonococcal urethritis. By the ascending route, Ct may cause infection of the epididymis and prostate, and improper or suboptimal treatment may result in serious irreversible consequences such as infertility. Tetracycline or doxycycline have been the treatments of choice for chlamydial infections and erythromycin has been recommended as an alternative antibiotic regimen. Both drugs must be taken for 7 days for adequate efficacy, but as minimally symptomatic or asymptomatic patients are likely to be non compliant when given multiple day regimens, the therapy may fail. Azithromycin, an azalide antibiotic which achieves and maintains high concentrations in tissue and in phagocytic cells may be administered as a single dose because of its long half-life. Therefore it may be beneficial in eradicating intracellular pathogens such as Ct. The in vitro activity of azithromycin and tetracycline against 11 recent clinical isolates of Ct and 2 standard laboratory strains, were compared.