Evaluation of doxycycline in the treatment of urethritis and cervicitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.

The efficacy of treatment with doxycycline hyclate was studied in 50 patients (25 men and 25 women) with urethritis or cervicitis, or both, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. Microbiological diagnosis was carried out by means of a micro-immunofluorescent technique. The pathogen was eradicated in the specimens from the urethra and endo-cervix from 86% of the patients after treatment with 200 mg/day doxycycline for up to 24 days. Clinical symptoms disappeared in 76% of the patients, and the remaining patients showed improvement. A possible adverse effect (mild gastric discomfort) was reported by one patient, but it did not prevent his completing the treatment course. The results of the study support previously published findings and indicate that doxycycline may be a treatment of choice for patients with lower genital tract infections caused by C trachomatis.