Azithromycin versus Penicillin G Benzathine for Early Syphilis

The demonstration in Tanzania of equivalent efficacy of azithromycin and penicillin G benzathine for treating early syphilis and presumed early latent syphilis (rapid plasma reagin titer, ≥1:8) represents a potentially useful advance in syphilis control. In a randomized trial reported in this issue of the Journal, Riedner et al.1 achieved cure rates of 97.7 percent with 2 g of azithromycin given orally and 95.0 percent with 2.4 MU of penicillin G benzathine given intramuscularly. Positive or negative status with respect to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection did not influence the results of treatment. Titers on rapid plasma reagin tests fell . . .