Doxycycline therapy for leptospirosis

Ann Intern Med. 1984 May;100(5):696-8. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-100-5-696.

Abstract

To study antibiotic efficacy, 29 patients with leptospirosis were treated in a randomized, double-blinded fashion with doxycycline, 100 mg orally twice a day, or placebo. Therapy was given for 7 days in a hospital, and patients were followed for 3 weeks afterwards. Duration of illness before therapy and severity of illness were the same in both groups. Doxycycline reduced the duration of illness by 2 days and favorably affected fever, malaise, headache, and myalgias. Treatment prevented leptospiruria and had no adverse effects. Doxycycline is effective in therapy for patients with leptospirosis.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Double-Blind Method
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Evaluation
  • Humans
  • Leptospirosis / drug therapy*
  • Military Medicine
  • Random Allocation

Substances

  • Doxycycline