ERADICATION OF NASOPHARYNGEAL CARRIAGE OF NEISSERIA-MENINGITIDIS IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN RURAL AFRICA - A COMPARISON OF CIPROFLOXACIN ANDRIFAMPICIN

A randomized comparative study of rifampicin and ciprofloxacin for era dicating nasopharyngeal carriage of meningococci was undertaken in Mal awi. Of 1878 contacts of persons with meningococcal meningitis, 1875 w ere evaluatable for safety and efficacy of the drugs. Rifampicin was g iven to 836 contacts, ciprofloxacin to 711, and ceftriaxone to 328 (ch ildren <2 years old or pregnant or lactating women). One and 2 weeks a fter therapy, side effects in those given rifampicin and ciprofloxacin were not significantly different. In the ciprofloxacin group, with 47 0 subjects <18 years old, only one event (mild abdominal pain) occurre d that was related to the drug. Nasopharyngeal carriage was detected i n 88 (10.5%) of those given rifampicin, 79 (11.1%) given ciprofloxacin , and 41 (12.5%) given ceftriaxone. Eradication rates after 1 and 2 we eks of treatment, respectively, were 96.5% and 97.7% for rifampicin, 8 8.6% and 91.1% for ciprofloxacin, and 95.1% and 97.6% for ceftriaxone. Ciprofloxacin provides a safe and effective alternative to rifampicin for eradication of meningococcal carriage in children 2-18 years old.