title: Comparison of three topical antimicrobials for acute bacterial conjunctivitis.
abstract: One hundred fifty-eight patients, 21 years of age or less, presenting with culture-positive (Haemophilus influenzae or Streptococcus pneumoniae) conjunctivitis were treated with trimethoprim-polymyxin B (TP), gentamicin sulfate (GS) or sodium sulfacetamide (SS) ophthalmic solution for 10 days. Clinical response at 3 to 6 days after start of therapy was similar for all test agents: 26 of 55 (47%) patients cured, 25 of 55 (45%) improved for TP; 28 of 57 (49%) cured, 26 of 57 (46%) improved for GS; and 19 of 46 (41%) cured, 22 of 46 (48%) improved for SS. Clinical response at 2 to 7 days after completion of therapy was also similar: 46 of 55 (84%) patients cured, 5 of 55 (9%) improved for TP; 50 of 57 (88%) cured, 5 of 57 (9%) improved for GS; and 41 of 46 (89%) cured, 2 of 46 (4%) improved for SS. Bacteriologic response at 2 to 7 days after completion of therapy was similar for all antimicrobials: 44 of 55 (83%) patients for TP; 39 of 57 (68%) for GS; and 33 of 46 (72%) for SS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia Children's Medical Center, Charlottesville.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lohr
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grossman
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Hayden
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Knowlton
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Dudley
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003234:Conjunctivitis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011112:Polymyxin B / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011113:Polymyxins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D013409:Sulfacetamide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014295:Trimethoprim / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D005839:Gentamicins; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011113:Polymyxins; D013409:Sulfacetamide; D014295:Trimethoprim; D011112:Polymyxin B