title: [Azithromycin versus josamycin: treatment of 89 cases of acute pneumonia].
abstract: In an open, multicenter randomized clinical trial on patients with acute pneumonia, 5-day therapy using a new oral macrolide antibiotic, azithromycin (Az), was compared with standard 10-day therapy using another macrolide, josamycin (J). Eighty-nine patients were treated (46 Az, 43 J); both groups were comparable, except in terms of the sex ratios. The causative agent was determined in 31 cases; streptococcal pneumonia was the most common diagnosis (48%). Cure rates were 93% for J and 80% for Az (p greater than 0.30), as judged by a fall in body temperature and an improvement in clinical condition and in radiographic findings. Among 6 failures, there were 4 cases of empyema (1 J, 3 Az). Of 6 deaths, 2 were pneumonia-dependent (1 J and 1 Az, Haemophilus and Streptococcus pneumoniae, respectively). We conclude that 5-day Az is as effective as 10-day J and that such short-course therapy is an advantage in the treatment of pneumonia caused by macrolide susceptible pathogens.
authors.affiliation: Association pour la Promotion et la Recherche en Information Médicale, Annecy.
authors.lastname: Aprim
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Brion
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sedallian
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Le Noc
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Briffod
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Micoud
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017963:Azithromycin; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015570:Josamycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D004917:Erythromycin; D017963:Azithromycin; D015570:Josamycin
vernacular_title: Azithromycine versus josamycine: traitement de quatre-vingt-neuf pneumopathies aiguës.