amoxicillin-potassium-clavulanate-combination and Impetigo

Topics: Administration, Topical; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Bacitracin; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Cephalexin; Clindamycin; Cloxacillin; Dicloxacillin; Diterpenes; Erythromycin; Fusidic Acid; Gentamicins; Humans; Impetigo; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Mupirocin; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

We undertook a prospective double-blind controlled study to compare the efficacy of a drug that usually has no antistaphylococcal activity (amoxicillin trihydrate) with the efficacy of the same drug with an addition of a beta-lactamase inhibitor (amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid [Augmentin]) in the treatment of nonbullous impetigo. Fifty-one culture-positive patients, aged 6 months to 9 years, were included, 26 in the amoxicillin group and 25 in the Augmentin group. The study groups were clinically and bacteriologically comparable at the start of the study. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from all patients and beta-hemolytic streptococcus from 14 (29%). All staphylococci were sensitive to Augmentin but resistant to amoxicillin. Forty-nine patients completed the study. The clinical response was significantly better among the Augmentin recipients (marked improvement in 71% and 95% of patients after 2 and 5 days, respectively; no new lesions during the treatment course) than among the amoxicillin recipients (marked improvement in 44% and 68% of patients after 2 and 5 days, respectively; new lesions appeared in 20% of patients). Recurrence within 3 weeks occurred in 12 (26%) of 49 patients, and no difference was observed between the two groups. We conclude that S aureus is common in nonbullous impetigo, and that at least in some cases it plays an important role in the course of the disease that can be altered by specific therapy.

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Child; Child, Preschool; Clavulanic Acids; Clinical Trials as Topic; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Impetigo; Infant; Prospective Studies; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus

The skin infections are common in pediatrics, ranging from furonculosis or impetigo to the severe forms of necrotizing dermohypodermitis. The general antibiotic treatments are not always indicated but when they are, they must take into account the resistance of two main species of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes), the pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamic parameters and the severity and type of infection. Two situations should be treated by topical treatements: limited impetigo and furonculosis. The two topical antibiotics used preferentially are mupirocine and fucidic acid. Soon, a third topical antibiotic, reptamuline will complete these. For uncomplicated superficial skin infections justifying an oral antibiotic, amoxicillin-clavulanate offers the best guarantee of efficiency. Poor pharmacodynamic-pharmacokinetic must lead to not prescribe oral M penicillins. In case of allergy, a first-generation cephalosporin, a macrolide (if the susceptibility of the strain was checked) or pristinamycine (after 6 years of age) are acceptable alternatives. For dermohypodermitis bacterial antibiotic of choice remains amoxicillin-clavulanate through IV route, to be active against S. pyogenes but also S. aureus and anaerobic bacteria. The IV route is maintained until regression general signs and a relay orally by the same drug is then possible. For toxinic syndromes and necrozing fascitis clindamycin should be added to a beta-lactam because of its action on protein synthesis in particular reducing the toxins production.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cellulitis; Cephalosporins; Child; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Fasciitis, Necrotizing; Furunculosis; Fusidic Acid; Humans; Impetigo; Injections, Intravenous; Macrolides; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Mupirocin; Penicillins; Pristinamycin; Skin Diseases, Bacterial; Soft Tissue Infections; Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome; Staphylococcal Skin Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus pyogenes