Doxycycline PEP Reduced Chlamydia and Syphilis Infections

Increased rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are reported globally, and new interventions are needed, wrote researchers in a recent article published by The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

STIs continue to pose significant public health challenges, causing 2.5 million deaths each year, according to a new World Health Organization report.

On May 23, 2024, these France-based researchers wrote, 'We aimed to assess whether post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with doxycycline could reduce the incidence of chlamydia or syphilis (or both) and whether the meningococcal group B vaccine (4CMenB) could reduce the incidence of gonorrhea in this population.

Results from the ANRS 174 Doxyvac phase 3 clinical trial concluded Doxycycline PEP strongly reduced the incidence of chlamydia and syphilis.

These researchers said it did not show the efficacy of the 4CmenB vaccine for gonorrhea.

Still, doxycycline PEP should be assessed in other broader populations, and its effect on antimicrobial resistance carefully monitored.