Clinical and Bacteriological Efficacy of Rifampin-Streptomycin Combination for Two Weeks followed by Rifampin and Clarithromycin for Six Weeks for Treatment of Mycobacterium ulcerans Disease
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Date
2014-02
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
Abstract
Buruli ulcer, an ulcerating skin disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans infection, is common in tropical areas of western Africa.
We determined the clinical and microbiological responses to administration of rifampin and streptomycin for 2 weeks followed
by administration of rifampin and clarithromycin for 6 weeks in 43 patients with small laboratory-confirmed Buruli lesions
and monitored for recurrence-free healing. Bacterial load in tissue samples before and after treatment for 6 and 12 weeks
was monitored by semiquantitative culture. The success rate was 93%, and there was no recurrence after a 12-month follow-up.
Eight percent had a positive culture 4 weeks after antibiotic treatment, but their lesions went on to heal. The findings indicate
that rifampin and clarithromycin can replace rifampin and streptomycin for the continuation phase after rifampin and streptomycin
administration for 2 weeks without any apparent loss of efficacy.
Description
An article by Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
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Citation
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy p. 1161–1166