One vs. Three Doses of Penicillin for Early Syphilis in HIV-Infected Patients

A single dose of intramuscular benzathine penicillin G was as effective as three weekly doses.

Syphilis remains a major public health issue in the U.S., particularly among HIV-infected men who have sex with men. The most recent CDC treatment guidelines recommend a single dose of penicillin as treatment of early syphilis for patients with or without HIV infection, but some clinicians opt to treat HIV-infected individuals with three weekly doses instead.

In a prospective, open-label trial, investigators randomized 64 HIV-infected patients with early syphilis to receive either a single dose or three weekly doses of intramuscular benzathine penicillin G.

After 12 months of follow-up, serologic response rates, defined as a ≥4-fold decline in rapid plasma regain (RPR) titer (the primary outcome), were not significantly different between the …

Reviewing Authors

Darcy Wooten, MD, MS

Charles B. Hicks, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardGilead Sciences; ViiV; Merck

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc.

Grant / Research supportNIH; Department of Health and Human Services