Single oral-dose metronidazole therapy for trichomonas vaginitis in adolescents

A group of 218 adolescent girls in a detention setting was treated for vaginal trichomoniasis with a single 2-g oral dose of metronidazole, a successful therapeutic approach in infected adults. This method of treatment has not been reported in teenagers. The initial diagnosis and posttreatment test for cure were based on a Gram stain of vaginal secretions. Administration of the medication and avoidance of reinfection were controlled. The test for cure was done 5 days after treatment. The cure rate under these conditions was 98%. Side effects were infrequent and minor. Our results suggest that single-dose therapy not only avoids the problem of patient compliance but is effective, safe, and less costly than a standard 7- or 10- day regimen.