COMPARATIVE ACTIVITY OF AZITHROMYCIN AGAI NST 100 STRAINS OF NEISSERIA-GONORRHOEAE

Azithromycin is a new semisynthetic, acid stable C15 macrolid. In our Study, we compared in vitro activity of azithromycin with 6 other anti biotics usually recommended for treatment of N. gonorrhoea infections: erythromycin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, ceftriaxone, spectinomycin, ci profloxacin. 100 strains have been selected: 95 clinical strains with different resistance patterns: 60 susceptible to beta-lactams, 25 PPNG , 10 chromosomal decreased:susceptibility to beta-lactams. Among these strains, 13 had a decreased susceptibility to erythromycin (MIG: 2 an d 4 mg/l) and 5 WHO reference strains: A: spectinomycin resistance, BI wild phenotype, C: chromosomal decreased susceptibility to penicillin and tetracycline, D: chromosomal resistance to penicillin and eythrom ycin + chromosomal decreased susceptibility to chloramphenicol, E: bet a-lactamase producing strain (PPNG) and decreased susceptibility to te tracycline. MICs have been determined by GC agar dilution method. Azit hromycin is more active than erythromycin on all N. gonorrhoeae patter ns with a two log 10 difference for MIC 50 and MIC 90 (p < 0.0001). Be cause of pharmacocinetic properties and activity against Chlamydia tra chomatis and urogenital mycoplasms often associated with N. gonorrhoea e, azithromycin is a good alternative for the treatment of genital inf ections.