Rosaramicin and tetracycline in the treatment of non-gonococcal urethritis. A comparison of clinical and microbiological results

Abstract

The clinical and microbiological outcome of the treatment of 94 men for uncomplicated non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) was studied. Rosaramicin 250 mg six hourly for seven days was given to 46 men and tetracycline 250 mg six hourly for seven days to 48 men; the follow-up period was up to six weeks. Complete resolution of the clinical signs of infection was seen in 40 (87%) of the men treated with rosaramicin and in 37 (77%) of those treated with tetracycline. Chlamydia trachomatis was eliminated from 17 of the 18 men treated with rosaramicin and from all of the 16 men treated with tetracycline. Ureaplasma urealyticum was eliminated from 12 of the 14 men treated with rosaramicin and from 15 of the 19 receiving tetracycline. Clinical recovery correlated well with the elimination of C trachomatis but less well with that of U urealyticum. The two antimicrobial agents were equally effective in the therapy of NGU, but gastrointestinal side effects were significantly more common in men treated with rosaramicin.