title: Prophylactic efficiency of 3-weekly benzathine penicillin G in rheumatic fever.
abstract: Benzathine penicillin G (BPG) is effective for secondary prophylaxis of rheumatic fever (RF). However, interval between injections a remains a controversial matter. In a study population of 74 patients, following the initial diagnosis of RF, 3-weekly BPG (1.2 million units) regimen was started. During the first three-week period, serum penicillin concentrations were examined on the 7th, 14th and 21st days and throat culture done for group-A b hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) infection. Ten patients (13.5%) at 21st day of injection had low serum penicillin concentration after the first BPG. GABHS was isolated in 5 patients during this period. Although two of these 5 patients had symptoms of respiratory tract infection, according to laboratory data, the other three were accepted as carriers. All 74 patients were then followed-up for rheumatic recurrence (RR) during long-term period (6 to 60 months, mean 25 +/- 5 months). There was no RR among regular (missing no more than one injection a year) group. We concluded that 3-weekly BPG regimen was satisfactory for secondary prophylaxis in RF, even though serum penicillin level was inadequate during the third week in some of the patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Selçuk University, Tip Fakültesi Cocuk Klinigi, Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Oran
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tastekin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karaaslan
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bas
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ayçiçek
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ceri
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sütçü
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Erkul
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010406:Penicillins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012008:Recurrence; D012213:Rheumatic Fever / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D010406:Penicillins; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine