A DOUBLE‐BLIND STUDY OF THE VALUE OF TREATMENT WITH A SINGLE DOSE TINIDAZOLE OF PARTNERS TO FEMALES WITH TRICHOMONIASIS

Abstract

Tinidazole 2 g single oral dose was given to 137 females with positive trichomonal cultures. On a random basis the same dose of tinidazole was given to half the sexual partners, and matching placebo to the other half. One to two weeks after treatment 5 females had positive cultures, indicating a primary cure rate of 96.4%. At an average of 2 months after treatment and 6 weeks after resuming sexual activity, 118 females were reexamined; 17 had a positive culture, giving an overall relapse rate of 14.4%. The relapse rate with tinidazole‐treated partner was 5.1%, and with placebo‐treated partner 23.7% (p = 0.01). The definitive cure rate after a single dose of tinidazole 2 g was in females with treated partner 91.8% and with untreated partner 72.6%. It is concluded that a single dose of tinidazole is an effective treatment for females with trichomoniasis but to avoid relapse it is necessary to treat the sexual partner too, cond follow‐up, also with trichomonal culture. At this time they were questioned concerning their sexual activity: the date of first intercourse after treatment and the frequency of intercourse.