Partner treatment strategies for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: Time for a reappraisal

Epidemiological treatment for suspected Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infections is recommended within 14 days of exposure to reduce symptoms and prevent loss of follow-up. A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 141 patients found a concordance rate of 44.8% for CT and 28.1% for NG, with 59.6% of potential antibiotic overuse. Patients exposed to CT had less potential antibiotic overuse than those exposed to NG. Waiting for laboratory diagnosis before treatment could avoid nearly 60% of unnecessary antibiotic treatments in asymptomatic exposed partners.