[Comparative study of cefaclor versus amoxicillin in urinary tract infections (author's transl)]

In a comparative, prospective, open randomised clinical study, the efficacy and tolerance of cefaclor (3 x 500 mg) and amoxicillin (3 x 750 mg) in the treatment of urinary tract infection (UTI) were investigated and compared. A total of 110 patients (51 males and 59 females) age 10 to 83 years were treated for a period of five to 14 days (average 10 days). Fifty-nine of the patients had complicated, and 51 uncomplicated UTI. In all patients , organisms were cultured from the urine which were sensitive to both antibiotics in vitro. In each group there were three cases of mixed infection and 35 cases of Escherichia coli monoinfection. The distribution of pathogens in the other patients was likewise very similar. Better results, i.e. a reduction in the cell count to < 10(4)/ml immediately after completion of therapy, were obtained in patients treated with cefaclor. This is largely due to a statistically significantly higher rate of elimination in E. coli infections. The long-term results at follow-up examinations 14 to 60 days after completion of therapy in both groups with uncomplicated infections were, however, equally as good in about half the cases. In complicated infections therapy was successful overall in only about a quarter of the cases, better results being obtained in the amoxicillin group. It must be taken into account that among the patients treated, the groups with complicated UTI are difficult to compare, relapses primarily being determined by underlying disease. Both antibiotics were tolerated well.