Randomised comparative study of ceftriaxone and spectinomycin in gonorrhoea

From 26 April to 30 June 1983 a total of 200 men with uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis were randomly treated with either 2 g spectinomycin or 250 mg ceftriaxone, both administered intramuscularly. Of 197 isolates tested for the presence of the enzyme beta lactamase, 91 (46.2%) were positive (PPNG) and 106 (53.8%) were non-PPNG strains. All 93 patients treated with spectinomycin and followed up and 97 treated with ceftriaxone and followed up were cured. Ceftriaxone 250 mg administered by intramuscular injection is highly effective in treating gonococcal infections caused by both PPNG and non-PPNG strains and is an appropriate alternative to spectinomycin.