Table 1.
Treatment of human brucellosis
| Antimicrobial agent | Comments | |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended regimens | Doxycycline 100 mg p.o. b.i.d. for 6 weeks plus (Gentamicin 5 mg/kg/day i.v./i.m. daily for 7–10 days) or (streptomycin 1 g i.m. daily for 14–21 days) |
Although randomized studies monitored for adverse reactions to aminoglycosides, aminoglycoside serum levels were not performed in most studies and rates of ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity were low Pediatric dosing: doxycycline relatively contraindicated, gentamicin 5 mg/kg i.m./i.v. daily, streptomycin 20 mg/kg i.m. daily |
| Doxycycline 100 mg p.o. b.i.d. for 6 weeks plus Rifampin 600–900 mg p.o. daily for 6 weeks |
Higher rates of composite (relapse or treatment failure) as well as higher rates of adverse events compared to doxycycline and an aminoglycoside Pediatric dosing: rifampin 15 mg/kg p.o. daily |
|
| Alternative agents | Ciprofloxacin 500 mg p.o. b.i.d. for 6 weeks or Ofloxacin 200–400 mg p.o. b.i.d. | |
| Trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (160 mg/800 mg p.o. b.i.d. or 8 mg/kg/day trimethoprim component p.o. divided every 8 hours) for 6–8 weeks | Recommended for treatment of childhood brucellosis in conjunction with an aminoglycoside or rifampin Pediatric dosing: 8 mg/kg b.i.d. trimethoprim component |