Single-dose ceftriaxone for chancroid

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Bacteriology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Chancroid is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Haemophilus ducreyi.
• Genital ulcers are a primary symptom of chancroid, necessitating effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of different intramuscular ceftriaxone dosage regimens for treating chancroid in men.
• To determine the optimal single-dose regimen for chancroid treatment.

Main Methods:

• Men with culture-positive Haemophilus ducreyi genital ulcers were enrolled.
• Participants received intramuscular ceftriaxone in varying dose regimens.
• Cure rates were assessed for each treatment group.

Main Results:

• A 1 g dose of ceftriaxone resulted in a 98% cure rate (49/50 men).
• A 0.5 g dose achieved a 97.7% cure rate (43/44 men).
• A 0.25 g dose demonstrated a 97.4% cure rate (37/38 men).

Conclusions:

• Single intramuscular doses of ceftriaxone are highly effective for treating chancroid.
• A 250 mg (0.25 g) dose of intramuscular ceftriaxone is a confirmed effective treatment for chancroid.