Adding Doxycycline to Therapy for Early Syphilis in Persons with HIV

Serologic responses were higher with benzathine penicillin G plus doxycycline than with BPG alone.

Standard treatment for early syphilis with benzathine penicillin G (BPG) yields lower response rates in people with HIV (PWH) than in those without. Investigators in Taiwan conducted a retrospective review of serologic outcomes following treatment for early syphilis in PWH who received either BPG alone (single dose) or BPG plus doxycycline (the latter given for 7 days) for presumed chlamydial coinfection and administered at the physician's discretion.

Patients were almost exclusively men, were receiving antiretroviral therapy, and had a median CD4 count of 600 cells/mm³ and undetectable viral load. Serologic response (defined as a fourfold decline in rapid plasma reagin [RPR] at month 12) was achieved in 79.5% of 223 patients receiving BPG p…

Reviewing Author

Anna Wald, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAicuris; Bayer; GSK; Innovative Molecules; Merck; MAPP Biopharmaceutical (Safety Monitoring Committee)

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; GSK; Moderna; Assembly Biomedical; Aicuris

Editorial BoardsSexually Transmitted Diseases; Sexually Transmitted Infections; Journal of Infectious Diseases

Leadership PositionsID Division Chiefs Community of Practice (At-Large Member)