Alternatives to Ciprofloxacin Use for Enteric Fever, United Kingdom
2008

Alternatives to Ciprofloxacin for Enteric Fever in the UK

Sample size: 1215 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Threlfall E. John, de Pinna Elizabeth, Day Martin, Lawrence Joanne, Jones Jane

Primary Institution: Health Protection Agency, London, UK

Hypothesis

What are the alternative drug therapies available for treating enteric fever due to resistance to ciprofloxacin?

Conclusion

The efficacy of ciprofloxacin for treating enteric fever in the UK is compromised, but alternatives like ceftriaxone and azithromycin are viable.

Supporting Evidence

  • Resistance to ciprofloxacin in S. Typhi increased from 35% in 2001 to 70% in 2006.
  • Resistance to ciprofloxacin in S. Paratyphi A rose to 73% in 2006.
  • 21 treatment failures with ciprofloxacin have been documented since 2005.

Takeaway

Doctors need to find other medicines to treat typhoid fever because some germs are not getting better with the usual medicine.

Methodology

The study analyzed resistance patterns of Salmonella enterica serovars Typhi and Paratyphi A from 2001 to 2006.

Limitations

The study faced challenges in accurately documenting foreign travel history due to underreporting.

Participant Demographics

Patients with typhoid and paratyphoid fever, with a significant proportion having traveled abroad.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3201/eid1405.071184

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