EFFICACY OF AZITHROMYCIN IN UN-COMPLICATED ENTERIC FEVER. A STUDY FROM RURAL NORTH INDIA

INTRODUCTION: Enteric fever is a systemic infection caused by the bacteria, Salmonella Typhi (S. typhi) and Salmonella Paratyphi (S. paratyphi A, B and C). Disease burden is more in the developing countries. There is day by day increase in the multidrug resistant strains. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of azithromycin as a first line antibiotic in the treatment of uncomplicated enteric fever. METHODS: This case series study was conducted in 90 children between 2-15 years of age. Those patients who were Typhidot and/or blood culture positive included in this study and treated with azithromycin 20mg/kg/single dose daily for 7 days. RESULTS: Out of the 90 children enrolled, 81 (90.00%) completed the study as the nine children lost to follow up. Male to female ratio was 1.5: 1 with common age group between 6-10 years. S. typhi was isolated in 5 (6.17%) cases and all achieved bacteriological cure by day 7. Mean (SD) duration of fever at presentation was 6 +/- 2.07 days. Clinical cure was seen in 76 (93.82%) subjects. Mean day of response was 4 days. There was no death in the study. No serious adverse event was observed in the study. CONCLUSION: Azithromycin was found to be safe and efficacious for the management of uncomplicated typhoid fever in a dose of 20 mg/kg/day per oral once a day for seven days.