Value of short-course antimicrobial therapy in acute bacterial rhinosinusitis.
Traditional approaches to antimicrobial management of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) focus on courses of therapy of at least 10 days duration. The rationale for this length of therapy originated from studies in tonsillopharyngitis. Short-course antibiotic therapy for ABRS with 3-5 days of azithromycin has proved equally effective. Potential added benefits of short-course therapy include improved compliance, fewer adverse events as well as reduced risk of treatment failure, bacterial resistance and cost. Single-dose therapy is now possible with a novel microsphere formulation of azithromycin, which permits administration of a higher 2.0 g oral dose. This has proved as effective and well tolerated as 10 days levofioxacin 500 mg/day in patients with uncomplicated ABRS. High single-dose therapy has the potential to maximize adherence to prescribed therapy and thus to help in the battle to control rising antibiotic resistance among respiratory pathogens.
Clinical Otolaryngology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA. james_hadley@urmc.rochester.edu
James A
JA
Hadley
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008863:Microspheres; D008875:Middle Aged; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017963:Azithromycin; D015242:Ofloxacin