Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole in the Treatment of Typhoid and Paratyphoid Fevers

Abstract

A trial was conducted in naturally-occurring disease to compare the efficacy of treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) with oral chloramphenicol. The majority of patients treated with TMP-SMZ (79%) responded justas well as did those treated with oral chloramphenicol, as measured by time ofdisappearance of fever after therapy. Seven patients treated with TMP-SMZ, however, failed to respond after 11 or more days of treatment. Neither levels of drugin serum nor in vitro sensitivity tests of the isolatedSalmonellacould account forthe slow response of these patients to TMP-SMZ. © 1973 by the University of Chicago.