Cefaclor therapy in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis

Twenty-four patients with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis were treated with cefaclor at a dose of 500 mg every 8 hours for 10 days. Studies included volume, appearance and bacteriological examination of sputum, and haematological and virus serology tests. The response to therapy was judged on the reduction in sputum volume or the conversion of its character from purulent to mucoid. Nineteen of 24 patients improved and in 4 of 5 failures, positive serology for influenza virus was found. Growth of Pseudomonas occurred in one sputum. Minor side effects were seen in 3 patients, and no haematological or biochemical abnormalities were found.