A randomized controlled study of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole versus norfloxacin for the prevention of infection in cirrhotic patients

Abstract

Objective: To prospectively compare norfloxacin (N) with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (T-S) in preventing infection in cirrhotic patients. Methods: Cirrhotic patients at high risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) were recruited and assigned N (400mg daily) or T-S (160/800mg daily). Patients were followed up for 12 months. The primary end-point was the incidence of infection. Secondary end-points included the incidence of SBP, bacteremia, extraperitoneal infection requiring antibiotic treatment, liver transplantation, death, side effects and rate of resistance to N or T-S. Results: A total of 80 patients with a mean age of 53.0±9.3 years were prescribed N (n=40) or T-S (n=40). Chil..