A STUDY ON EFFICACY OF AZITHROMYCIN IN UN–COMPLICATED ENTERIC FEVER IN EASTERN BIHAR.

INTRODUCTION:Enteric fever, caused by Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi, is the leading cause of bacterial feile disease in South Asia. 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 like India. There is day by day increase in the multidrug resistant strains. 

OBJECTIVES: The present 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 JawaharLal Nehru Medical College And Hospital, Bhagalpur, Bihar in which180 children between 2– 12 years of age were enrolled for the study. Those patients who were Typhidot and/or blood culture positive were included in this study and treated with azithromycin 20mg/kg/ single dose daily for 7 days. 

RESULTS: In the present study, out of the 180 children enrolled, 162 (90.00%) completed the study and eighteen children lost to follow up. Male to female ratio was 1.5:1 andthe common age group in which typhoid fever was seen, was found to be 6–10 years. S. typhi was isolated in 10 (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 152 (93.82%) subjects. Mean day of response was 4 days. There was no death or serious adverse effects observed in our study. 

CONCLUSION: In our study it was found that Azithromycin was 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.Oral azithromycin could be a convenient and cheap alternative for the treatment of typhoid fever, especially in children in developing countries like India where medical resources are scarce.