Randomized trial of doxycycline versus josamycin for Mediterranean spotted fever.

We undertook a randomized clinical trial comparing therapeutic efficacy of the 1-day doxycycline regimen with the 5-day josamycin regimen for Mediterranean spotted fever. All 59 patients recovered uneventfully, and results did not significantly differ between the two schedules. One-day doxycycline therapy is an effective, easy, and inexpensive treatment. Josamycin is a useful therapeutic alternative that may be particularly convenient for pregnant women and patients with a history of allergy to tetracyclines.