A 24-year-old woman has mucopurulent cervicitis. NAAT (nucleic acid amplification test) from cervical swab is positive for Chlamydia trachomatis. She is not allergic to any antibiotics. The recommended first-line treatment per Indian STI guidelines is:
- A Doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 7 days
- B Azithromycin 1 g single oral dose ✓
- C Ceftriaxone 250 mg IM single dose
- D Metronidazole 400 mg twice daily for 7 days
Correct answer: B. Azithromycin 1 g single oral dose
Explanation
Single-dose azithromycin 1 g orally is the first-line treatment for uncomplicated genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection due to its superior compliance as directly observed therapy, efficacy equal to 7-day doxycycline, and broad tissue penetration. Doxycycline 100 mg BD × 7 days is an effective alternative with lower cost. Ceftriaxone is used for gonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae); metronidazole is used for bacterial vaginosis or Trichomonas. NAAT is the most sensitive diagnostic method for C. trachomatis, superior to culture or antigen detection.
Reference: Ananthanarayan & Paniker's Textbook of Microbiology, 11th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.