The prevalence of side-effects: ciprofloxacin 500 mg single dose prophylaxis against Neisseria meningitidis outbreak in Potchefstroom during July 2003: research

Abstract

Potchefstroom experienced an outbreak of Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) during May-July 2003. An opportunity for obtaining valuable data arose when mass prophylactic treatment to approximately 28% of the Potchefstroom community was provided by the Department of Health, North-West Province. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of side-effects experienced by staff and students of the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (PU for CHE) who received a single prophylactic dose of oral ciprofloxacin 500 mg between 23 and 29 July 2003. Information gained from the Potchefstroom outbreak may be valuable for the future management of similar outbreaks in other communities. Various stakeholders have published related reports, protocols, recommendations and guidelines, which mostly focused on the prevention, management and control of meningococcal disease. Very little has been reported about the side-effects experienced, especially in cases where ciprofloxacin 500 mg single dose had been dispensed. One or more side-effects were reported by 24.2% of the participants, while 5.4% had to consult with a health care worker due to the severity of side-effects resulting from a single dose. Practical significance could not be demonstrated for any of the side-effects reported after single versus multiple doses nor when the effects of gender or requirement for medical consultation were tested.


Key Words: Neisseria meningitidis; Ciprofloxacin; Single dose; Side effects; Prophylactic


OPSOMMING

‘n Uitbraak van Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) gedurende Mei-Julie 2003 en die daaropvolgende verskaffing van massa-profilakse deur die Departement van Gesondheid, Noordwesprovinsie aan ongeveer 28% van die plaaslike gemeenskap het ‘n geleentheid geskep om waardevolle inligting in te win. Die doel van die studie was om die voorkoms van newe-effekte te ondersoek wat deur die personeel en studente van die Potchefstroomse Universiteit vir Christelike Hoër Onderwys ervaar is na toediening van ‘n enkel profilaktiese dosis van siprofloksasien 500 mg tussen 23-29 Julie 2003. Inligting wat hieruit voortspruit mag waardevol wees tydens toekomstige bestuur van uitbrake in ander gemeenskappe. Verskillende belanghebbendes het verslae, protokolle, aanbevelings en riglyne gepubliseer, wat meestal op die voorkoming, bestuur en beheer van meningokokkale siekte gefokus het. Daar is egter min gerapporteer oor die newe-effekte wat ondervind is veral waar siprofloksasien 500mg enkeldosis toegedien is. Een of meer newe-effekte is deur 24.2% van die deelnemers ervaar en 5.4% het dit nodig geag om ‘n gesondheidswerker te konsulteer in verband met die newe-effekte wat ervaar is. Geen prakties betekenisvolle verskille is aangedui indien die effeksgrootte bereken is vir die newe-effekte getoets tussen die enkeldosis versus die meervoudige dosis nie, selfs ook nie nadat die effek van geslag of konsultasie getoets is nie.



Health SA Gesondheid Vol.9(3) 2004: 42-54