Short-course treatment with ceftriaxone for leptospirosis: A retrospective study in a single center in Eastern France. Issue 3 (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Faucher, Jean-François; Chirouze, Catherine; Hoen, Bruno; Leroy, Joël; Hustache-Mathieu, Laurent; Estavoyer, Jean-Marie
• Is Part Of: Journal of infection and chemotherapy. Volume 21:Issue 3(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 227
• Page End: 228
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Leptospirosis -- Short-course treatment -- Ceftriaxone; Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; 615.5805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2014.09.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1341-321X

Abstract

Abstract: Short-course (less than 7 days) antibiotic treatments have been rarely assessed in the management of leptospirosis. We analyzed the charts of patients hospitalized with confirmed and probable leptospirosis in a teaching hospital between 1994 and 2012. Of 89 patients with confirmed or probable leptospirosis, 21 patients (11 confirmed, 10 probable - 14 uncomplicated and 7 severe forms) admitted between 2001 and 2012 received ceftriaxone (1–2 g daily) for less than 7 days. Apyrexia was obtained within 2 days of treatment in all patients and no relapse was observed. These data support the hypothesis that short-course treatments of 3–6 days with ceftriaxone (1–2 g per day) may be an option in the treatment of uncomplicated and severe forms of leptospirosis responding quickly to therapy. This hypothesis deserves being confirmed in further clinical studies.