There is encouraging evidence that mixed trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) therapy is effective for female urinary tract infections in low or even single-dose protocols.
Patricia E. Ludwig, PhD, and her physician-pharmacologist colleagues told The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons meeting in Montreal that there were no recurrences in a small series of patients treated with single-dose TMP-SMX, 160 mg/800 mg or 320 mg/1,600 mg.
The University of Manitoba team, including F. J. Buckwold, MD, Godfrey K. M. Harding, MD, A. R. Ronald, MD, L. Thompson, MD, and M. Slutchuk, MD, also concluded that single-dose sulfisoxazole, in 1- or 2-g dosages, was almost as effective.
There were 39 patients, aged 18 to 60 years, in the study whose cases could be evaluated. The site of infection was determined by the antibody-coated bacteria (ACB) test. (A positive result usually indicates renal involvement.)
Infecting organisms were Escherichia coli (27 cases), Staphylococcus epidermis (five cases),