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01-08-2011 | Original Article

Evaluation of short-term clinical efficacy of 3-day therapy with azithromycin in comparison with 5-day cefcapene-pivoxyl for acute streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in primary care

Authors: Takeharu Koga, Toru Rikimaru, Naoto Tokunaga, Toshihiro Higashi, Masahiro Nakamura, Yoichiro Ichikawa, Kazuhiko Matsuo

Published in: Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy | Issue 4/2011

Abstract

Group A streptococcal (GAS) tonsillopharyngitis is one of the few conditions for which antibiotics are advocated among common upper respiratory infections. Although a 3-day course of azithromycin is attracting attention as a treatment of choice for the condition, it is not clear if the efficacy of the treatment is comparable with that of treatment with cephalosporins. A prospective, randomized, comparative multicenter study was conducted to compare the efficacy of azithromycin (AZM) given once daily for 3 days with that of cefcapene-pivoxyl (CFPN-PI) divided into three daily doses for 5 days. 88 patients (male: 38, mean age: 16.5) were treated with AZM and 69 (male: 34, mean age: 16.9) with CFPN-PI. The symptoms of all but 5 (2 for AZM and 3 for CFPN-PI) of the patients were resolved by the 8th day of the treatment. By the 4th day of the treatment, criteria for clinical efficacy were fulfilled in 71 (80.7%) subjects who were treated with AZM and in 48 (67.6%) of those treated with CFPN-PI (p = 0.07). The same figures on the 8th day of the treatment were 86 (97.7%) and 68 (95.8%), respectively (p = 0.66), confirming there was no significant difference in clinical efficacy between the two treatments. Mild adverse reactions were reported by two patients treated with AZM and by none treated with CFPN-PI. The clinical efficacy of a 3-day course with AZM was comparable with that of a 5-day course of CFPN-PI for GAS tonsillopharyngitis.

Higashi Hospital, Hotta Clinic, Ichikawa Clinic, Kakizoe Clinic, Keishinkai Hospital, Kiyomatsu Clinic, Nagata Clinic, Nagayoshi Clinic, Nakamura Clinic, Nishimoto Clinic, Otaki Clinic, Otsuka Clinic, Saisho Clinic, Sano Clinic, Shiraishi Clinic, Tanaka Clinic, Tokunaga Clinic, Watanage Clinic, Yano Clinic, Yano Iin.

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Title: Evaluation of short-term clinical efficacy of 3-day therapy with azithromycin in comparison with 5-day cefcapene-pivoxyl for acute streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in primary care
Authors: Takeharu Koga
Toru Rikimaru
Naoto Tokunaga
Toshihiro Higashi
Masahiro Nakamura
Yoichiro Ichikawa
Kazuhiko Matsuo
Publication date: 01-08-2011
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy / Issue 4/2011
Print ISSN: 1341-321X
Electronic ISSN: 1437-7780
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10156-010-0207-9

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