Azithromycin in the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis

The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy and tolerability of parenteral administration of azithromycin in the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. In the period from November 1, 2000 to October 31 2001, azithromycin was administered in 35 hospitalized patients with chlamydial PID. The diagnosis was made prior to hospitalization. Microbiological analysis of urine, blood and swab specimen collected from endocervix vagina and urethra confirmed C.trachomatis to be the single suspected causative pathogen of PID. The presence of C.trachomatis in swab specimens from endocervix was examined by DNK/RNK hybridization. Azithromycin was administered 5-7 days after samples for microbiological analysis were collected in dose of 1 x 500 mg iv for 5 days. Clinical efficacy and tolerability of therapy were assessed 1-7 days after the end of therapy and clinical and microbiological analysis 3-4 weeks after completion of therapy. The eradication of C.trachomatis and normalization of gynecological findings were achieved in 33 disappearance of subjective symptoms in 30 patients. No side effects and deviations from normal values in hematologic and biochemical blood parameters were recorded. This study showed high bactericidal efficacy, rapid clinical effect and good tolerability of once-daily administration of 500 mg azithromycin for 5 days in the treatment of patients with PID caused by C.trachomatis.