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Short-course treatment with ceftriaxone for leptospirosis: a retrospective study in a single center in Eastern France
Jean-François Faucher1, Catherine Chirouze1, Bruno Hoen1
1Service de maladies infectieuses et Tropicales, CHU de Besançon, 25030 Besançon cedex, France.
Abstract:
Short-course (less than 7 days) antibiotic treatments have been rarely assessed in the management of leptospirosis. We analyzed the charts of patients hospitalized with confirmed and probable leptospirosis in a teaching hospital between 1994 and 2012. Of 89 patients with confirmed or probable leptospirosis, 21 patients (11 confirmed, 10 probable - 14 uncomplicated and 7 severe forms) admitted between 2001 and 2012 received ceftriaxone (1-2 g daily) for less than 7 days. Apyrexia was obtained within 2 days of treatment in all patients and no relapse was observed. These data support the hypothesis that short-course treatments of 3-6 days with ceftriaxone (1-2 g per day) may be an option in the treatment of uncomplicated and severe forms of leptospirosis responding quickly to therapy. This hypothesis deserves being confirmed in further clinical studies.
Insights
Short-course antibiotic therapy for leptospirosis (a bacterial infection) using ceftriaxone for 3-6 days proved effective in hospitalized patients. This treatment achieved rapid fever reduction and prevented relapse in both uncomplicated and severe cases.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Leptospirosis is a significant zoonotic disease with varied clinical presentations.
- Short-course antibiotic regimens for leptospirosis have been infrequently studied.
- Optimal treatment duration for leptospirosis requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of short-course ceftriaxone treatment in hospitalized leptospirosis patients.
- To assess the impact of short-course therapy on fever resolution and disease relapse.
- To explore the potential of abbreviated treatment for both uncomplicated and severe leptospirosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart analysis of patients hospitalized with confirmed or probable leptospirosis (1994-2012).
- Focus on a cohort receiving ceftriaxone (1-2 g daily) for less than 7 days (2001-2012).
- Analysis included patient demographics, disease severity, treatment duration, and clinical outcomes.
Main Results:
- Twenty-one patients received short-course ceftriaxone (3-6 days).
- All patients achieved apyrexia (fever absence) within 2 days of treatment initiation.
- No instances of relapse were recorded during the study period.
Conclusions:
- Short-course ceftriaxone (3-6 days, 1-2 g daily) appears to be a viable treatment option for leptospirosis.
- This regimen is effective in both uncomplicated and severe forms of the disease.
- Further clinical studies are warranted to confirm these findings and establish definitive treatment guidelines.