Systematic review and meta-analysis of doxycycline efficacy for rectal lymphogranuloma venereum in men who have sex with men

Charussri Leeyaphan, Jason J. Ong, Eric P. F. Chow, Fabian Y S Kong, Jane S. Hocking, Melanie Bissessor, Christopher K. Fairley, Marcus Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalReview ArticleResearchpeer-review

27 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Rectal lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) has reemerged as a sexually transmitted infection among men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly those who are HIV-positive. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the efficacy of doxycycline (100 mg 2×/d for 21 days) for rectal LGV in MSM. Nine studies were included: 4 prospective, 4 retrospective, and 1 combined retrospective and prospective. In total, 282 MSM with rectal LGV were included in the studies. All studies reported using nucleic acid amplification tests to assess microbial cure. Most patients (>80%) had symptomatic rectal infection. The fixed-effects pooled efficacy for doxycycline was 98.5% (95% CI 96.3%–100%, I2 = 0%; p = 0.993). Doxycycline at 100 mg twice daily for 21 days demonstrated a high microbial cure rate. These data support doxycycline at this dosage and duration as first-line therapy for rectal LGV in MSM.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1778-1784
Number of pages7
JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases
Volume22
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2016

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