Korean J Dermatol.  2020 Nov;58(9):590-595.

Comparison of Syphilis Treatment Drug Effects by VDRL Titer Monitoring

• Lee Js
• Na N
• Park Js

Abstract

Background
Despite the increasing number of syphilis cases, there has been a considerable lack of recent data comparing the efficacy and duration of benzathine penicillin G, ceftriaxone, and tetracycline in Korean patients.
Objective
To compare the efficacy and duration of benzathine penicillin, ceftriaxone, and tetracycline in Korean patients with syphilis.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed 145 cases of syphilis from 2004 to 2019 and statistically analyzed the treatment efficacy and duration.
Results
Patients in the benzathine penicillin, ceftriaxone, and tetracycline treatment groups showed no significant statistical difference in terms of treatment rate (chi-square test, p=0.962). Similarly, treatment duration among groups was not statistically significant (one-way analysis of variance, p=0.792). Co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus resulted in reduced treatment rate (p=0.016) and increased treatment duration (p=0.007).
Conclusion
This retrospective study showed no significant difference between penicillin, ceftriaxone, and tetracycline in terms of treatment rate and duration. However, a difference in treatment rate and duration was evident between the non-infection and HIV co-infection groups.ng

Keyword

Syphilis; Penicillin; Ceftriaxone; Tetracycline; HIV