Is azithromycin monotherapy as efficacious as cefuroxime plus erythromycin for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalized patients?

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Is azithromycin monotherapy as efficacious as cefuroxime plus erythromycin for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalized patients?
Authors:	See, Sharon
Source:	Journal of Family Practice. Oct2000, Vol. 49 Issue 10, p883-884. 2p.
Subjects:	Pneumonia, Hospital patients, Lung diseases, Antibacterial agents, Respiratory diseases, Symptoms
Abstract:	The article examines the efficacy of azithromycin monotherapy compared to cefuroxime and erythromycin to treat community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in hospitalized patients. The American Thoracic Society recommends a second- or third-generation cephalosporin with or without a macrolide for empiric treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalized patients. These guidelines have resulted in better outcomes in patients younger than 60 years but not in older patients. This mulitcenter study reported the results of 145 evaluable hospitalized patients with a primary diagnosis of CAP. The average age of these patients was not stated. Their condition was diagnosed by chest x-ray, with either one or more signs and symptoms consistent with lower respiratory infection or an elevated white blood cell count. This was a prospective randomized unblinded trial comparing the empiric treatment of CAP with 2 regimens. One group of patients received intravenous azithromycin 500 mg daily for 2 to 5 days followed by oral therapy to complete a 7- to 10-day course.
Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Description
Abstract:	The article examines the efficacy of azithromycin monotherapy compared to cefuroxime and erythromycin to treat community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in hospitalized patients. The American Thoracic Society recommends a second- or third-generation cephalosporin with or without a macrolide for empiric treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalized patients. These guidelines have resulted in better outcomes in patients younger than 60 years but not in older patients. This mulitcenter study reported the results of 145 evaluable hospitalized patients with a primary diagnosis of CAP. The average age of these patients was not stated. Their condition was diagnosed by chest x-ray, with either one or more signs and symptoms consistent with lower respiratory infection or an elevated white blood cell count. This was a prospective randomized unblinded trial comparing the empiric treatment of CAP with 2 regimens. One group of patients received intravenous azithromycin 500 mg daily for 2 to 5 days followed by oral therapy to complete a 7- to 10-day course.
ISSN:	00943509