THE POTENTIAL EFFECT ON NEISSERIA-GONORRHOEAE OF THE USE OF CLINDAMYCIN VAGINAL CREAM IN THE EMPIRICAL-TREATMENT OF VAGINAL DISCHARGE

The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIG) of clindamycin for 62 cons ecutive isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae were found to be 0.03-4 mg/L ; the MIC(50) and MIC(90) were 0.125 and 2.0 mg/L respectively. Seven women treated with clindamycin vaginal cream had cervical mucus sample s taken after seven days treatment. The concentrations of clindamycin achieved in the cervical mucus were 30-150 times higher (141-337 mg/L) than the highest MIC of the 62 N. gonorrhoeae isolates. Clindamycin v aginal cream is being used increasingly in Genitourinary Medicine clin ics and General Practice for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. Thi s study shows that clindamycin vaginal cream achieves intra cervical c oncentrations that are high enough to inhibit N. gonorrhoeae. Empirica l use of this therapy should be preceded by urethral and cervical swab s for N. gonorrhoeae in any woman at risk of gonorrhoea.