In:
Respiration, S. Karger AG, Vol. 66, No. 5 ( 1999), p. 413-418
Abstract:
〈 i 〉 Objective: 〈 /i 〉 To evaluate the efficacy of clarithromycin alone in comparison with the combination of clarithromycin and cefuroxime in the treatment of nonhospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in a Mediterranean population. 〈 i 〉 Methods: 〈 /i 〉 CAP was defined as the acute onset of fever ( 〉 38°C) with pulmonary opacity on chest roentgenogram. The American Thoracic Society (ATS) criteria (1993) were used to decide on patient hospitalization. Ninety subjects, of whom 53 (59%) were men, with a mean age (± SD) of 38 ± 15 years, were randomized: 45 received clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d. orally for 14 days (CL group), and 45 received clarithromycin plus cefuroxime 500 mg b.i.d. orally for 7 days (CLCE group). Patients were monitored with clinical, radiological, and laboratory controls at 3 and 21 days. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to demographic, clinical, physical and laboratory data. 〈 i 〉 Results: 〈 /i 〉 The mean time to defervescence was 2.4 ± 1.4 and 2.4 ± 1.5 days, respectively. Chest roentgenogram clearance was complete in all cases, without statistically significant differences in the time to resolution between both arms. Side effects were mild (no significant differences between groups): 5 patients in the CL group and 3 in the CLCE group showed gastrointestinal symptoms. Two patients (2.2%), both in the CLCE group, needed hospital admission during follow-up, but all 90 patients showed an excellent outcome. A causative agent was determined in 25 cases (28%). 〈 i 〉 Legionella pneumophila, Streptococcus pneumoniae 〈 /i 〉 , and 〈 i 〉 Mycoplasma pneumoniae 〈 /i 〉 were the most frequent pathogens. 〈 i 〉 Conclusion: 〈 /i 〉 Empirical treatment of outpatient CAP with clarithromycin can be considered adequate in the Mediterranean area, independently of the microbiological etiology. ATS criteria for admitting patients with CAP are appropriate in this population.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0025-7931
,
1423-0356
Language:
English
Publisher:
S. Karger AG
Publication Date:
1999
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1464419-8
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