Which IV antibiotic regimen is appropriate for uncomplicated gonococcal infection?

Which IV antibiotic regimen is appropriate for uncomplicated gonococcal infection?

• A. Gentamicin alone
• B. Ceftriaxone plus doxycycline
• C. Amoxicillin alone
• D. Cefoxitin alone

Answer: (B)

Treating uncomplicated gonorrhea effectively requires covering both Neisseria gonorrhoeae and the likely coinfection with Chlamydia trachomatis. A cephalosporin with reliable gonorrhea activity forms the backbone of therapy, and adding doxycycline addresses the high rate of concurrent chlamydial infection. Ceftriaxone is the preferred agent because of its strong activity against N. gonorrhoeae and its lower resistance compared with older antibiotics. Because many patients with gonorrhea may also have chlamydia, combining with doxycycline provides coverage for this common co-infection, reducing the risk of untreated chlamydial infection and its complications. Alternatives like gentamicin alone, amoxicillin alone, or cefoxitin alone are not adequate because they do not reliably eradicate gonorrhea or fail to cover possible chlamydial coinfection. Hence the regimen that pairs ceftriaxone with doxycycline is the best choice to treat both infections simultaneously and prevent sequelae.

Treating uncomplicated gonorrhea effectively requires covering both Neisseria gonorrhoeae and the likely coinfection with Chlamydia trachomatis. A cephalosporin with reliable gonorrhea activity forms the backbone of therapy, and adding doxycycline addresses the high rate of concurrent chlamydial infection.

Ceftriaxone is the preferred agent because of its strong activity against N. gonorrhoeae and its lower resistance compared with older antibiotics. Because many patients with gonorrhea may also have chlamydia, combining with doxycycline provides coverage for this common co-infection, reducing the risk of untreated chlamydial infection and its complications.

Alternatives like gentamicin alone, amoxicillin alone, or cefoxitin alone are not adequate because they do not reliably eradicate gonorrhea or fail to cover possible chlamydial coinfection. Hence the regimen that pairs ceftriaxone with doxycycline is the best choice to treat both infections simultaneously and prevent sequelae.