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Clinical role of Cefixime in community-acquired infections
Sh Dreshaj1, T Doda-Ejupi, I Q Tolaj
1Infectious Diseases Clinic, Prishtina Medical Faculty, Kosovo.
Unlabelled:
Cefixime is an oral third generation cephalosporin, frequently used in respiratory tract infections (RTI) in the pediatric population. However, in some publications cefixime has demonstrated poor efficacy against staphylococci and streptococci.
The Aim:
of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of cefixime in the treatment of community-acquired infections in a country where parenteral third generation cephalosporins have been used for a long time. The present study was designed to assess the clinical efficacy, bacteriological eradication rates and tolerability of cefixime in children with community-acquired upper RTI (URTI), lower RTI (LRTI) and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI).
Materials And Methods:
The study was prospective, open, and included 89 patients, from 6 months to 28 years, of both sexes, with the diagnosis of community-acquired URTI, LRTI and UTI.
Results:
The treatment with cefixime was successful in 30/30 (100%) patients suffering from acute otitis media (AOM), in 10/12 (83.3%) with acute sinusitis, in 12/12 patients (100%) with pneumonia, in 31/35 (88.57) with uncomplicated UTI. The antibiotic was well tolerated. In 10 days treatment we recorded one case (1.3%) with acute gastroenteritis and two cases (2.6%) of maculopapular rash. Side-effects were transient and disappeared after finishing therapy in all three of the cases.
Conclusions:
Community-acquired infections, such as AOM, LRTI and UTI, caused by susceptible pathogens, can be treated with cefixime, as a good choice for a successful clinical response.
Insights
Cefixime effectively treats pediatric community-acquired infections like acute otitis media, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. This oral cephalosporin demonstrated good clinical response and tolerability in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Pharmacology
- Antimicrobial therapy
Background:
- Cefixime, an oral third-generation cephalosporin, is commonly used for pediatric respiratory tract infections (RTI).
- Previous studies indicated potential limitations in cefixime's efficacy against certain bacteria like staphylococci and streptococci.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cefixime's efficacy in treating community-acquired infections in pediatric patients.
- To assess clinical efficacy, bacteriological eradication rates, and tolerability of cefixime.
- To investigate its use in upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI).
Main Methods:
- Prospective, open-label study design.
- Inclusion of 89 pediatric patients aged 6 months to 28 years.
- Diagnosis of community-acquired URTI, LRTI, and UTI.
Main Results:
- High success rates observed: 100% for acute otitis media (AOM) and pneumonia, 83.3% for acute sinusitis, and 88.57% for uncomplicated UTI.
- Cefixime was generally well-tolerated, with transient side effects including gastroenteritis (1.3%) and maculopapular rash (2.6%).
Conclusions:
- Cefixime is a suitable treatment option for community-acquired infections in children, including AOM, LRTI, and UTI.
- The antibiotic demonstrates a good clinical response in pediatric patients with infections caused by susceptible pathogens.
- Favorable tolerability profile supports its use in pediatric populations.
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