Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026

A Platform of Anti-biofilm Assays Suited to the Exploration of Natural Compound Libraries
Published on: December 27, 2016
Azithromycin compared with penicillin G benzathine for treatment of incubating syphilis
E W Hook1, J Stephens, D M Ennis
1Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, 35294-0006, USA.
Background:
Preventive therapy is an important element of syphilis control efforts. No currently recommended, single-dose alternatives to penicillin G benzathine are available for treatment of incubating syphilis.
Objective:
To evaluate the use of a single 1.0-g dose of azithromycin for treatment of persons recently exposed to sexual partners with infectious syphilis.
Design:
Single-center, open-label, randomized pilot study to compare azithromycin with penicillin G benzathine therapy. Participants were evaluated serologically for 3 months.
Setting:
Sexually transmitted disease clinic in Birmingham, Alabama.
Participants:
96 participants who in the preceding 30 days had been exposed to partners with infectious syphilis through sexual intercourse.
Measurements:
Syphilis prevention, as indicated by nonreactive serologic tests (rapid plasma reagin and fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed), throughout the 3-month follow-up.
Results:
Among 96 participants enrolled, none of 40 evaluable persons in the azithromycin group and none of 23 evaluable persons in the penicillin group developed evidence of syphilis. Significantly more penicillin-treated participants (21 of 44 [48%]) than azithromycin-treated participants (12 of 52 [23%]) became nonevaluable during follow-up (P = 0.01).
Conclusion:
A single 1.0-g dose of azithromycin seems to be efficacious for prevention of syphilis in persons exposed to infected sexual partners.
More Related Videos
09:17A Robust Pneumonia Model in Immunocompetent Rodents to Evaluate Antibacterial Efficacy against S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa or A. baumannii
Published on: January 2, 2017
12:17An In Vitro Caseum Binding Assay that Predicts Drug Penetration in Tuberculosis Lesions
Published on: May 8, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Combined Effects of Drugs: Synergism
Such synergistic combinations...
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Stability-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Production of Antibiotics
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis