title: Comparative double-blinded study between mupirocin and tetracycline ointments for treating skin infections.
abstract: A double-blinded study was conducted to compare the effects of mupirocin and tetracycline ointments in the treatment of skin infections. 111 patients were available for clinical assessment, of which 53 were treated with mupirocin and 58 treated with tetracycline. Clinically, both groups were improved, and there was no significant difference. Bacteriological assessment however revealed a better response to mupirocin. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes were the most common organisms isolated. 99% of Staphylococci were sensitive to mupirocin compared with 61% to tetracycline and 29% to penicillin G. 57% of Group A beta haemolytic Streptococci were resistant to tetracycline compared to 14% to mupirocin. Gram-negative organisms were mostly resistant to both preparations. No side effects were observed in both treatment groups. This study suggests that mupirocin is a safe and effective topical preparation for treating most of our common skin infections.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Tham
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016712:Mupirocin; D009824:Ointments; D011897:Random Allocation; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005227:Fatty Acids; D009824:Ointments; D016712:Mupirocin; D013752:Tetracycline