Evaluation of spiramycin in meningococcal carriage.

Spiramycin was administered to healthy carriers of meningococci in doses of 1.5 g twice daily or 2.5 g once daily for 3 days, or 1.5 g once daily for 10 days. Meningococci were eliminated from the nasopharynx and throat in approximately 50% of the carriers with all dose schedules. In the remaining carriers only a temporary suppression of the strain was achieved. Elimination occurred only in carriers where spiramycin saliva concentrations reached or surpassed the MIC value of respective strain for 42 h or more. Evidence of reinfection from close contacts was not obtained. Due to side effects the dose of spiramycin could not be increased. Further trials with spiramycin as the sole agent for eliminating meningococci in carriers do not seem warranted.