A randomized comparison of oral chloramphenicol versus ofloxacin in the treatment of uncomplicated typhoid fever in Laos.

Journal article

We conducted a randomized open trial of oral chloramphenicol (50mg/kg/day in four divided doses for 14 days) versus ofloxacin (15 mg/kg/day in two divided doses for 3 days) in 50 adults with culture-confirmed uncomplicated typhoid fever in Vientiane, Laos. Patients had been ill for a median (range) of 8 (2-30) days. All Salmonella enterica serotype typhi isolates were nalidixic acid-sensitive, four (8%) were chloramphenicol-resistant and three (6%) were multidrug-resistant. Median (range) fever clearance times were 90 (24-224) hours in the chloramphenicol group and 54 (6-93) hours in the ofloxacin group (P<0.001). One patient in the chloramphenicol group developed an ileal perforation. Three days ofloxacin was more effective than 14 days chloramphenicol for the in-patient treatment of typhoid fever, irrespective of antibiotic susceptibility, and was of similar cost.

Authors: Phongmany, S; Phetsouvanh, R; Sisouphone, S; Darasavath, C; Vongphachane, P

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
• Volume: 99
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 451-458
• Publication date: 2005-06-01
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2004.08.007
• EISSN: 1878-3503
• ISSN: 0035-9203
• Language: English
• Keywords: Administration, Oral; Health Care Costs; Humans; Adolescent; Adult; Chloramphenicol; Time Factors; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Ofloxacin; Prospective Studies; Typhoid Fever; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Laos; Treatment Outcome; Female