Related Experiment Videos
[Effectiveness and tolerance of cefixime in comparison with penicillin V in bacterial pharyngitis and tonsillitis in
1Abt. für Antimikrobielle Therapie und Infektionsimmunologie, Dr. von Haunerschen Kinderspitals, Universität München.
Insights
Cefixime, a once-daily antibiotic, demonstrates comparable efficacy to penicillin V for treating bacterial pharyngitis and tonsillitis in children. Both treatments were well-tolerated, with similar low rates of side effects and relapses in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Pharmacology and therapeutics
- Microbiology
Background:
- Bacterial pharyngitis and tonsillitis are common childhood infections.
- Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci are a primary causative agent.
- Effective antibiotic therapy is crucial to prevent complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy and tolerability of cefixime and penicillin V in treating pediatric bacterial pharyngitis/tonsillitis.
- To evaluate clinical cure, microbiological eradication, and relapse rates.
- To assess the safety profile of both antibiotics.
Main Methods:
- Open, controlled, randomized, multicenter trial involving 154 children (2-12 years).
- Children received either once-daily cefixime (8 mg/kg) or thrice-daily penicillin V (20,000 IU/kg).
- Clinical and microbiological assessments were performed before, during, and after treatment, with follow-up for relapses.
Main Results:
- Clinical cure rates were 93.3% for cefixime and 89.2% for penicillin V.
- Microbiological eradication rates were 82.7% for cefixime and 77% for penicillin V.
- Both treatments showed similar low rates of mild side effects and relapses.
Conclusions:
- Once-daily cefixime is a viable and effective alternative to thrice-daily penicillin V for pediatric bacterial pharyngitis and tonsillitis.
- Cefixime offers comparable efficacy and tolerability to penicillin V in this patient population.
- The study supports cefixime's role in pediatric infectious disease management.
Abstract:
154 children aged 2 to 12 years with clinical diagnosis of bacterial pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis and--in most of the patients--a positive enzyme immunoassay for group A beta-hemolytic streptococci before therapy were enrolled in this open controlled randomized and multicenter trial. The children received either 8 mg/kg bodyweight cefixime once daily or 20,000 I.E. pencillin V/kg bodyweight t.i.d. Clinical evaluation and microbiological tests were carried out before treatment and 1-5 days after end of the treatment. 3-4 weeks after end of the treatment the rate of relapses was evaluated. The data of 149 children could be evaluated for clinical efficacy. In the cefixime group 93.3% of the children were cured and 6.7% improved compared to 89.2% and 10.8%, respectively, in the penicillin V group. Complete microbiological data were obtained from 136 patients. The eradication rate was 82.7% in the cefixime group and 77% in the group of patients treated with penicillin V. At follow up relapses were seen in 7 of the cefixime treated patients and in 6 of those receiving penicillin V. Mild side effects were reported by 4 patients in the cefixime group and by 3 children treated with penicillin V (1 drop out each). These results show that cefixime once daily is at least as effective as penicillin V t.i.d. in pharyngitis and tonsillitis in children. Both compounds are well tolerated.