title: Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae in pediatric community-acquired pneumonia: comparative efficacy and safety of clarithromycin vs. erythromycin ethylsuccinate.
abstract: We evaluated 260 previously healthy children ages 3 through 12 years who had clinical signs and symptoms of pneumonia, radiographically confirmed. Patients were randomized 1:1 to a 10-day course of either clarithromycin suspension 15 mg/kg/day divided twice a day or erythromycin suspension 40 mg/kg/day divided twice a day or three times a day. Evidence of infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae was detected in 28% (74) of patients: 13% (34) by nasopharyngeal culture and 18% (48) by serology with the microimmunofluorescence assay. Evidence of infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae was detected in 27% (69) of patients: 20% (53) by nasopharyngeal culture or polymerase chain reaction and 17% (44) by serology with the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serologic confirmation of infection was observed in 23% (8) and 53% (28) of patients with bacteriologically detected C. pneumoniae and M. pneumoniae, respectively. Treatment with clarithromycin vs. erythromycin, respectively, yielded the following outcomes: clinical success 98% (121 of 124) vs. 95% (105 of 110); radiologic success 98% (109 of 111) vs. 94% (92 of 110); and eradication by pathogen, C. pneumoniae 79% (15 of 19) vs. 86% (12 of 14) and M. pneumoniae 100% (9 of 9) vs. 100% (4 of 4). Adverse events were primarily gastrointestinal occurring in almost one-fourth of patients in both groups, and were mild to moderate in severity. Clarithromycin and erythromycin were similarly effective and safe for the treatment of radiographically proved, community-acquired pneumonia in children older than 2 years old.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Kentucky Pediatric Research, Inc., Bardstown 40004, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Block
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hedrick
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Hammerschlag
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Cassell
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Craft
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects*; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D015643:Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011019:Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015643:Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate; D017291:Clarithromycin