Multiple drug-resistant Chlamydia trachomatis associated with clinical treatment failure

J Infect Dis. 2000 Apr;181(4):1421-7. doi: 10.1086/315372. Epub 2000 Apr 13.

Abstract

In vitro susceptibility testing and genotyping were done on urogenital isolates of Chlamydia trachomatis from 3 patients, 2 of whom showed evidence of clinical treatment failure with azithromycin and one of whom was the wife of a patient. All 3 isolates demonstrated multidrug resistance to doxycycline, azithromycin, and ofloxacin at concentrations >4.0 microg/mL. Recurrent disease due to relapsing infection with the same resistant isolate was documented on the basis of identical genotypes of both organisms. This first report of clinically significant multidrug-resistant C. trachomatis causing relapsing or persistent infection may portend an emerging problem to clinicians and public health officials.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Azithromycin / therapeutic use
  • Chlamydia Infections / drug therapy*
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / classification
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / drug effects
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / genetics*
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Ofloxacin / therapeutic use
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
  • Urethritis / drug therapy
  • Urethritis / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Azithromycin
  • Ofloxacin