Single-dose metronidazole treatment for vaginal trichomoniasis.

Incoming inmates to a female prison, with a 47% prevalence of trichomonas vaginitis, were treated with a single 2-g dose of metronidazole. Follow-up of 237 patients revealed a cure rate of 97%. Four patients in whom initial treatment failed responded to repeat single-dose treatment. Significant side reactions were not encountered. Treatment noncompliance was reduced from approximately 25% to zero. The cost of the trichomoniasis treatment program was reduced by approximately 60%. The simplicity and the reduced cost associated with the single-dose treatment regimen should reduce patient and consort therapeutic noncompliance and is a significant improvement over the currently recommended 7-day treatment regimen.