Resúmenes Epistemonikos
Medwave2017;17(Suppl1):e6873 doi: 10.5867/medwave.2017.6873
¿Es efectivo un esquema antibiótico acortado para el tratamiento de la faringoamigdalitis bacteriana en niños?
Is a short-course antibiotic treatment effective for streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in children?
Camila Rojas-Ramírez, Tomás Kramer-Urrutia, Lorena Cifuentes
Referencias | Descargar PDF |
Para Descargar PDF debe Abrir sesión.
Imprimir | A(+) A(-) | Lectura fácil

Abstract

Acute bacterial tonsillopharyngitis in children has been classically treated with long courses of antibiotic, usually 10 days, with the intention to prevent the occurrence of complications. However, it has not been clarified whether a shortened treatment could be equally effective in fulfilling that purpose. To answer this question, we searched in Epistemonikos database, which is maintained by screening multiple databases. We identified five systematic reviews including 59 randomized trials overall. We extracted data, conducted a meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table using the GRADE approach. We concluded that a shortened antibiotic regimen is probably similar, or with minimal differences, to a longer course, and might not make any difference regarding complications related to Streptococcus group A infection.


 
Problem

Traditionally, bacterial tonsillopharyngitis in children, mainly caused by Streptococcus, has been treated with long antibiotic courses (10 days) with the purpose of eradicating Streptococcus group A and consequently preventing its complications. However, it is unknown whether a shortened treatment can be equally effective to accomplish that same purpose, probably reducing costs, possible adverse effects and improving adherence to treatment.

Methods

We used Epistemonikos database, which is maintained by screening multiple databases, to identify systematic reviews and their included primary studies. With this information, we generated a structured summary using a pre-established format, which includes key messages, a summary of the body of evidence (presented as an evidence matrix in Epistemonikos), meta-analysis of the total of studies, a summary of findings table following the GRADE approach and a table of other considerations for decision-making.

Key messages

  • A shortened antibiotic regimen is probably similar, or with minimal differences, to a longer course, and might not make any difference in the rate of complications related to Streptococcus group A infection.
  • It is unclear whether a shortened antibiotic course reduces adverse effects because the certainty of the evidence is very low.
  • Considering the evidence and other potential benefits of shortened antibiotic therapy, such as reduced costs and improved adherence, the benefit/risk analysis is in favor of intervention.
About the body of evidence for this question

What is the evidence.
See evidence matrix  in Epistemonikos later

We found five systematic reviews [1],[2],[3],[4],[5] including 59 primary studies, reported in 54 references (some articles report more than one study) [6],[7],[8], [9],[10],[11],[12],[13],[14],[15],[16],[17],[18],[19],[20], [21],[22],[23],[24],[25],[26],[27],[28],[29],[30],[31], [32],[33],[34],[35],[36],[37],[38],[39],[40],[41],[42], [43],[44],[45],[46],[47],[48],[49],[50],[51],[52],[53], [54],[55],[56],[57],[58],[59]. All of the studies correspond to randomized controlled trials.

We excluded from the analysis those trials whose long course of antibiotics lasted less than 10 days [33],[58], [59].

We included trials that involved only pediatric patients, whose age was 18 years or less [6],[7],[8],[9],[10],[12], [13],[14],[15],[19],[21],[23],[24],[25],[30],[31],[32], [37],[41],[43],[44],[45],[46],[48],[49],[50],[52],[53], [56],[57], and trials that enrolled adults too, if they were analyzed independently [34]. That is, 36 randomized trials, reported in 31 references.

What types of patients were included

Patients who participated in the trials included in this review correspond in their entirety to pediatric patients (between six months and 18 years).

All trials included only patients with clinically compatible symptoms and microbiological diagnosis of Streptococcus group A (by culture or rapid test). One trial also included Anti-streptolysin O antibodies (ASO) as a possible test for the microbiological certification of Streptococcus group A [34].

What types of interventions were included

All included trials compared the use of shortened antibiotic treatment (three to seven days) versus a standard 10-day antibiotic treatment.

Only five trials [15],[24],[34],[37],[46] used the same antibiotic as standard and shortened treatment. One of these used cefaclor [15], one cefuroxime [24], one cefetamet [34], one cefpodoxime [37] and one penicillin V [46].

Nineteen trials used a macrolide as a shortened treatment; sixteen compared it to a beta-lactam [13],[14],[19],[23], [30],[31],[41],[43],[44],[48],[49],[50],[52] and three to a macrolide [32],[56],[57].

Sixteen trials used a beta-lactam as a shortened treatment; all were compared to a beta-lactam [6],[7], [8],[10],[12],[15],[21],[24],[25],[34],[37],[45],[46],[52], [53].

One trial compared the use of a macrolide or beta-lactam versus a standard penicillin treatment [9].

One trial allowed the use of analgesics as cointervention [15], two did not allow the use of concomitant analgesics [23],[34], and the rest did not report cointerventions.

In all trials, except one [34], an early follow-up was conducted between days 0 to 15 once completed the antibiotic treatment. The majority [6],[7],[9],[10],[12], [13],[19],[21],[23],[25],[30],[31],[37],[41],[43],[44], [45],[52],[53],[56] also report having a late follow-up of variable duration with up to one year of follow-up after treatment.

What types of outcomes
were measured

The identified systematic reviews grouped the outcomes as follows:

  1. Duration of the symptomatology.
  2. Clinical success, defined as cessation of symptomatology once completed the antibiotic therapy.
  3. Early clinical failure, defined as the presence of fever and/or persistent pharyngeal pain within two weeks after completion of antibiotic treatment.
  4. Late clinical failure, defined as the presence of persistent fever and/or odynophagia two weeks after completion of antibiotic treatment.
  5. Clinical cure, defined as cessation or significant attenuation of symptomatology at the end of therapy, associated with the eradication of group A Streptococcus.
  6. Microbiological eradication of group A Streptococcus.
  7. Suppurative and non-suppurative complications.
  8. Adverse effects of the antibiotic therapy such as diarrhea, gastrointestinal discomfort, rash, fungal infections.
  9. Dropout rate due to adverse effects.
  10. Rate of compliance with antibiotic treatment.
  11. Recurrence, defined as the growth of a strain other than group A Streptococcus after eradication at the end of antibiotic therapy.
  12. Relapse, defined as the growth of the same strain of Streptococcus group A, after its microbiological eradication.
Summary of findings

Information on the effects of shortened treatment of bacterial tonsillopharyngitis in children is based on 36 randomized trials. All of the trials (15,869 patients) reported microbiological eradication; three trials (8,135 patients) complications of group A Streptococcus [9],[44],[45] and 21 trials [6],[7],[10],[12],[13],[19],[21],[23],[29],[30],[31],[37],[41],[43],[44],[45],[52],[53] (7,997 patients) measured the adverse effects of therapy. The summary of findings is as follows:

  • A shortened antibiotic course probably results in little or no difference in the Streptococcus group A eradication rate for bacterial tonsillopharyngitis in children, compared to a longer course. The certainty of the evidence is moderate.
  • A shortened antibiotic course might not make any difference in the complications related to Streptococcus group A infection, compared to a longer course. The certainty of the evidence is low.
  • It is unclear whether a shortened antibiotic course reduces adverse effects because the certainty of the evidence is very low.

Other considerations for decision-making

To whom this evidence does and does not apply

  • All the trials included in this summary addressed a pediatric population with the diagnosis of group A Streptococcus tonsillopharyngitis.
  • This evidence does not apply to adults, nor to children with a different etiology of tonsillopharyngitis, nor other sort of infections caused by group A Streptococcus.
About the outcomes included in this summary
  • The critical outcomes for decision-making were selected based on the opinion of the authors of this summary.
Balance between benefits and risks, and certainty of the evidence
  • There would be no differences in the eradication rate of group A Streptococcus when using a shortened antibiotic course, and there might be no difference in the complication rate, although the certainty of the evidence about complications is low. It is important to emphasize that these were very rare in both groups.
  • Considering the evidence and other potential benefits of shortened antibiotic therapy, such as reduced costs and improved adherence, the benefit/risk analysis is in favor of the intervention. 
What would patients and their doctors think about this intervention
  • The evidence presented in this summary should lead most patients and clinicians to lean in favor of shortened treatment.
  • However, the existence of international recommendations in favor of a standard treatment could dissuade some clinicians.
Resource considerations
  • Shortening the duration of antimicrobial treatment leads to lower costs for patients, so it is probably a cost-effective intervention.

Differences between this summary and other sources

  • This summary is consistent with the findings of the identified systematic reviews.
  • The conclusions of this summary disagree with some of the major international clinical guidelines on the treatment of tonsillopharyngitis in children [60],[61],[62], that still recommend a 10-day antibiotic regimen since there is no proof of the non-inferiority of a shortened antibiotic treatment in the prevention of complications of group A Streptococcus.
Could this evidence change in the future?
  • The probability of future evidence changing the conclusions of this summary, about the effectiveness of a shortened antibiotic course compared to a 10-day treatment for tonsillopharyngitis in children, is low given the certainty of the evidence currently available.
  • No additional ongoing trials evaluating this question were identified, so new relevant information is unlikely to appear in the short term.
How we conducted this summary

Using automated and collaborative means, we compiled all the relevant evidence for the question of interest and we present it as a matrix of evidence.

Follow the link to access the interactive version: Short-course antibiotic treatment for tonsillopharyngitis

Notes

The upper portion of the matrix of evidence will display a warning of “new evidence” if new systematic reviews are published after the publication of this summary. Even though the project considers the periodical update of these summaries, users are invited to comment in Medwave or to contact the authors through email if they find new evidence and the summary should be updated earlier. After creating an account in Epistemonikos, users will be able to save the matrixes and to receive automated notifications any time new evidence potentially relevant for the question appears.

The details about the methods used to produce these summaries are described here http://dx.doi.org/10.5867/medwave.2014.06.5997.

Epistemonikos foundation is a non-for-profit organization aiming to bring information closer to health decision-makers with technology. Its main development is Epistemonikos database (www.epistemonikos.org).

These summaries follow a rigorous process of internal peer review.

Conflicts of interest
The authors do not have relevant interests to declare.

Licencia Creative Commons Esta obra de Medwave está bajo una licencia Creative Commons Atribución-NoComercial 3.0 Unported. Esta licencia permite el uso, distribución y reproducción del artículo en cualquier medio, siempre y cuando se otorgue el crédito correspondiente al autor del artículo y al medio en que se publica, en este caso, Medwave.

 

Acute bacterial tonsillopharyngitis in children has been classically treated with long courses of antibiotic, usually 10 days, with the intention to prevent the occurrence of complications. However, it has not been clarified whether a shortened treatment could be equally effective in fulfilling that purpose. To answer this question, we searched in Epistemonikos database, which is maintained by screening multiple databases. We identified five systematic reviews including 59 randomized trials overall. We extracted data, conducted a meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table using the GRADE approach. We concluded that a shortened antibiotic regimen is probably similar, or with minimal differences, to a longer course, and might not make any difference regarding complications related to Streptococcus group A infection.

Autores: Camila Rojas-Ramírez[1,2], Tomás Kramer-Urrutia[1,2], Lorena Cifuentes[2,3,4]

Filiación:
[1] Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
[2] Proyecto Epistemonikos, Santiago, Chile
[3] Departamento de Pediatría, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
[4] Programa de Salud Basada en Evidencia, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile

E-mail: lorena.cifuentes@uc.cl

Correspondencia a:
[1] Facultad de Medicina
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Diagonal Paraguay 362
Santiago Centro
Chile.

Citación: Rojas-Ramírez C, Kramer-Urrutia T, Cifuentes L. Is a short-course antibiotic treatment effective for streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in children?. Medwave2017;17(Suppl1):e6873 doi: 10.5867/medwave.2017.6873

Fecha de envío: 29/12/2016

Fecha de aceptación: 29/12/2016

Fecha de publicación: 24/3/2017

Ficha PubMed

Comentarios (0)

Nos complace que usted tenga interés en comentar uno de nuestros artículos. Su comentario será publicado inmediatamente. No obstante, Medwave se reserva el derecho a eliminarlo posteriormente si la dirección editorial considera que su comentario es: ofensivo en algún sentido, irrelevante, trivial, contiene errores de lenguaje, contiene arengas políticas, obedece a fines comerciales, contiene datos de alguna persona en particular, o sugiere cambios en el manejo de pacientes que no hayan sido publicados previamente en alguna revista con revisión por pares.

Aún no hay comentarios en este artículo.


Para comentar debe iniciar sesión

Medwave publica las vistas HTML y descargas PDF por artículo, junto con otras métricas de redes sociales.

Se puede producir un retraso de 48 horas en la actualización de las estadísticas.

  1. Altamimi S, Khalil A, Khalaiwi KA, Milner RA, Pusic MV, Al Othman MA. Short-term late-generation antibiotics versus longer term penicillin for acute streptococcal pharyngitis in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Aug 15;(8):CD004872 | CrossRef | PubMed |
  2. Casey JR, Pichichero ME. Metaanalysis of short course antibiotic treatment for group a streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2005 Oct;24(10):909-17 | PubMed |
  3. Casey JR, Pichichero ME. Higher dosages of azithromycin are more effective in treatment of group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. Clin Infect Dis. 2005 Jun 15;40(12):1748-55 | PubMed |
  4. Falagas ME, Vouloumanou EK, Matthaiou DK, Kapaskelis AM, Karageorgopoulos DE. Effectiveness and safety of short-course vs long-course antibiotic therapy for group a beta hemolytic streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis: a meta-analysis of randomized trials. Mayo Clin Proc. 2008 Aug;83(8):880-9 | PubMed |
  5. Pichichero ME, Casey JR. Bacterial eradication rates with shortened courses of 2nd- and 3rd-generation cephalosporins versus 10 days of penicillin for treatment of group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in adults. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2007 Oct;59(2):127-30 | PubMed |
  6. Adam D, Hostalek U, Tröster K. 5-day cefixime therapy for bacterial pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis: comparison with 10-day penicillin V therapy. Cefixime Study Group. Infection. 1995;23 Suppl 2:S83-6 | PubMed |
  7. Adam D, Scholz H. Five days of erythromycin estolate versus ten days of penicillin V in the treatment of group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in children. Pharyngitis Study Group. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 1996 Sep;15(9):712-7 | PubMed |
  8. Adam D, Scholz H, Helmerking M. Comparison of short-course (5 day) cefuroxime axetil with a standard 10 day oral penicillin V regimen in the treatment of tonsillopharyngitis. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2000 Feb;45 Suppl:23-30 | PubMed |
  9. Adam D, Scholz H, Helmerking M. Short-course antibiotic treatment of 4782 culture-proven cases of group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis and incidence of poststreptococcal sequelae. J Infect Dis. 2000 Aug;182(2):509-16 | PubMed |
  10. Aujard Y, Boucot I, Brahimi N, Chiche D, Bingen E. Comparative efficacy and safety of four-day cefuroxime axetil and ten-day penicillin treatment of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis in children. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1995 Apr;14(4):295-300 | PubMed |
  11. Carbon C, Chatelin A, Bingen E, Zuck P, Rio Y, Guetat F, et al. A double-blind randomized trial comparing the efficacy and safety of a 5-day course of cefotiam hexetil with that of a 10-day course of penicillin V in adult patients with pharyngitis caused by group A beta-haemolytic streptococci. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1995 Jun;35(6):843-54 | PubMed |
  12. Cohen R, Levy C, Doit C, De La Rocque F, Boucherat M, Fitoussi F, et al. Six-day amoxicillin vs. ten-day penicillin V therapy for group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1996 Aug;15(8):678-82 | PubMed |
  13. Cohen R, Reinert P, De La Rocque F, Levy C, Boucherat M, Robert M, et al. Comparison of two dosages of azithromycin for three days versus penicillin V for ten days in acute group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2002 Apr;21(4):297-303 | PubMed |
  14. Cremer J, Wallrauch C, Milatovic D, Braveny I. Azithromycin versus cefaclor in the treatment of pediatric patients with acute group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 1998 Apr;17(4):235-9 | PubMed |
  15. Esposito S, Noviello S, Ianniello F, D'Errico G. Short-course therapy with cefaclor for treatment of streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2001 Oct;18(4):341-5 | PubMed |
  16. García Callejo FJ, Velert Vila MM, Orts Alborch MH, Pardo Mateu L, Esparcia Navarro M. [Comparison of azithromycin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and cefaclor in the treatment of acute ENT infections]. Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp. 1998 May;49(4):306-12 | PubMed |
  17. Gehanno P, Chiche D. Treatment of group a beta hemolytic streptococcal tonsillitis with cefuroxime axetil for 4 days : a comparative study with penicillin v for 10 days. Médecine et Maladies Infectieuses. 1991;21:66-70 | Link |
  18. Gerber MA, Randolph MF, Chanatry J, Wright LL, De Meo K, Kaplan EL. Five vs ten days of penicillin V therapy for streptococcal pharyngitis. Am J Dis Child. 1987 Feb;141(2):224-7 | PubMed |
  19. Hamill J. Multicentre evaluation of azithromycin and penicillin V in the treatment of acute streptococcal pharyngitis and tonsillitis in children. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1993 Jun;31 Suppl E:89-94 | PubMed |
  20. Hooton TM. A comparison of azithromycin and penicillin V for the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis. Am J Med. 1991 Sep 12;91(3A):23S-26S | PubMed |
  21. Kafetzis DA, Liapi G, Tsolia M, Aoudi H, Mathioudakis J, Paraskakis I, et al. Failure to eradicate Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci (GABHS) from the upper respiratory tract after antibiotic treatment. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2004 Jan;23(1):67-71 | PubMed |
  22. Kaplan EL, Gooch III WM, Notario GF, Craft JC. Macrolide therapy of group A streptococcal pharyngitis: 10 days of macrolide therapy (clarithromycin) is more effective in streptococcal eradication than 5 days (azithromycin). Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Jun 15;32(12):1798-802 | PubMed |
  23. McCarty J, Hedrick JA, Gooch WM. Clarithromycin suspension vs penicillin V suspension in children with streptococcal pharyngitis. Adv Ther. 2000 Jan-Feb;17(1):14-26 | PubMed |
  24. Mehra S, van Moerkerke M, Welck J, Sverrisson G, Sirotiakova J, Marr C, et al. Short course therapy with cefuroxime axetil for group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in children. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1998 Jun;17(6):452-7 | PubMed |
  25. Milatovic D. Evaluation of cefadroxil, penicillin and erythromycin in the treatment of streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1991 Oct;10(10 Suppl):S61-3 | PubMed |
  26. Müller O. Comparison of azithromycin versus clarithromycin in the treatment of patients with upper respiratory tract infections. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1993 Jun;31 Suppl E:137-46 | PubMed |
  27. Müller O. An open comparative study of azithromycin and roxithromycin in the treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1996 Jun;37 Suppl C:83-92 | PubMed |
  28. Norrby SR, Rabie WJ, Bacart P, Mueller O, Leroy B, Rangaraju M, et al. Efficacy of short-course therapy with the ketolide telithromycin compared with 10 days of penicillin V for the treatment of pharyngitis/tonsillitis. Scand J Infect Dis. 2001;33(12):883-90 | PubMed |
  29. O'Doherty B. An open comparative study of azithromycin versus cefaclor in the treatment of patients with upper respiratory tract infections. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1996 Jun;37 Suppl C:71-81 | PubMed |
  30. O'Doherty B. Azithromycin versus penicillin V in the treatment of paediatric patients with acute streptococcal pharyngitis/tonsillitis. Paediatric azithromycin Study Group. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 1996 Sep;15(9):718-24 | PubMed |
  31. Pacifico L, Scopetti F, Ranucci A, Pataracchia M, Savignoni F, Chiesa C. Comparative efficacy and safety of 3-day azithromycin and 10-day penicillin V treatment of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis in children. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1996 Apr;40(4):1005-8 | PubMed |
  32. Padilla-Raygoza N. Comparison of clarithromycin and azithromycin for treatment of streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis in children. Infections in Medicine. 1998;15:23-27. | Link |
  33. Pavesio D, Pecco P, Peisino MG. Short-term treatment of streptococcal tonsillitis with ceftriaxone. Chemotherapy. 1988;34 Suppl 1:34-8 | PubMed | Link |
  34. Peixoto E, Ramet J, Kissling M. Cefetamet pivoxil in pharyngotonsillitis due to group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. Current therapeutic research. 1993;53(6):694-706. | Link |
  35. Peyramond D, Tigaud S, Bremard-Oury C, Scheimberg A. Multicenter comparative trial of cefixime and phenoxymethylpenicillin for group a beta-hemolytic streptococcal tonsillitis. Current Therapeutic Research. 1994;55:14-21. | Link |
  36. Peyramond D, Portier H, Geslin P, Cohen R. 6-day amoxicillin versus 10-day penicillin V for group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal acute tonsillitis in adults: a French multicentre, open-label, randomized study. The French Study Group Clamorange. Scand J Infect Dis. 1996;28(5):497-501 | PubMed |
  37. Pichichero ME, Gooch WM, Rodriguez W, Blumer JL, Aronoff SC, Jacobs RF, et al. Effective short-course treatment of acute group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. Ten days of penicillin V vs 5 days or 10 days of cefpodoxime therapy in children. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1994 Oct;148(10):1053-60 | PubMed |
  38. Portier H, Chavanet P, Gouyon JB, Guetat F. Five day treatment of pharyngotonsillitis with cefpodoxime proxetil. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1990 Dec;26 Suppl E:79-85 | PubMed |
  39. Portier H, Chavanet P, Waldner-Combernoux A, Kisterman JP, Grey PC, Ichou F, et al. Five versus ten days treatment of streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis: a randomized controlled trial comparing cefpodoxime proxetil and phenoxymethyl penicillin. Scand J Infect Dis. 1994;26(1):59-66 | PubMed |
  40. Portier H, Lucht F, Lescale O, Kazmierczak A, Ros A, Scheimberg A. Multicenter comparative trial and penicillin V as treatment of group a beta hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) pharyngitis. Médecine et Maladies Infectieuses. 1995;25(10):1005-1010. | Link |
  41. Portier H, Bourrillon A, Lucht F, Choutet P, Géhanno P, Meziane L, et al. [Treatment of acute group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal tonsillitis in children with a 5-day course of josamycin]. Arch Pediatr. 2001 Jul;8(7):700-6 | PubMed |
  42. Portier H, Filipecki J, Weber P, Goldfarb G, Lethuaire D, Chauvin JP. Five day clarithromycin modified release versus 10 day penicillin V for group A streptococcal pharyngitis: a multi-centre, open-label, randomized study. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2002 Feb;49(2):337-44 | PubMed |
  43. Schaad UB, Heynen G. Evaluation of the efficacy, safety and toleration of azithromycin vs. penicillin V in the treatment of acute streptococcal pharyngitis in children: results of a multicenter, open comparative study. The Swiss Tonsillopharyngitis Study Group. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1996 Sep;15(9):791-5 | PubMed |
  44. Schaad UB, Kellerhals P, Altwegg M; Swiss Pharyngitis Study Group. Azithromycin versus penicillin V for treatment of acute group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2002 Apr;21(4):304-8 | PubMed |
  45. Scholz H. Streptococcal-A tonsillopharyngitis: a 5-day course of cefuroxime axetil versus a 10-day course of penicillin V. results depending on the children's age. Chemotherapy. 2004 Apr;50(1):51-4 | PubMed |
  46. Schwartz RH, Wientzen RL Jr, Pedreira F, Feroli EJ, Mella GW, Guandolo VL. Penicillin V for group A streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis. A randomized trial of seven vs ten days' therapy. JAMA. 1981 Oct 16;246(16):1790-5 | PubMed |
  47. Sinanian R, Ruoff G, Panzer J, Atkinson W. Streptococcal pharyngitis: a comparison of the eradication of the organism by 5- and 10-day antibiotic therapy. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 1972 Nov;14(11):716-20 | PubMed |
  48. Still JG. Azithromycin suspension vs penicillin suspension in treatment of children with streptococcal pharyngitis. CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS. 1993;53(2):195-195. | Link |
  49. Still JG. Treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis in children with five days of azithromycin suspension, abstr. M67. 34th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. American Society for Microbiology, Washington, DC. 1994:246 | Link |
  50. Still JG. Management of pediatric patients with group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus pharyngitis: treatment options. The Pediatric infectious disease journal. 1995;14(4):S57-61 | Link |
  51. Strömberg A, Schwan A, Cars O. Five versus ten days treatment of group A streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis: a randomized controlled clinical trial with phenoxymethylpenicillin and cefadroxil. Scand J Infect Dis. 1988;20(1):37-46 | PubMed |
  52. Syrogiannopoulos GA, Bozdogan B, Grivea IN, Ednie LM, Kritikou DI, Katopodis GD, et al. Two dosages of clarithromycin for five days, amoxicillin/clavulanate for five days or penicillin V for ten days in acute group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2004 Sep;23(9):857-65 | PubMed |
  53. Tack KJ, Hedrick JA, Rothstein E, Nemeth MA, Keyserling C, Pichichero ME. A study of 5-day cefdinir treatment for streptococcal pharyngitis in children. Cefdinir Pediatric Pharyngitis Study Group. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1997 Jan;151(1):45-9 | PubMed |
  54. Tack KJ, Henry DC, Gooch WM, Brink DN, Keyserling CH. Five-day cefdinir treatment for streptococcal pharyngitis. Cefdinir Pharyngitis Study Group. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1998 May;42(5):1073-5 | PubMed |
  55. Takker U, Dzyublyk O, Busman T, Notario G. Comparison of 5 days of extended-release clarithromycin versus 10 days of penicillin V for the treatment of streptococcal haryngitis/tonsillitis: results of a multicenter, double-blind, randomized study in adolescent and adult patients. Curr Med Res Opin. 2003;19(5):421-9 | PubMed |
  56. Venuta A, Laudizi L, Beverelli A, Bettelli F, Milioli S, Garetti E. Azithromycin compared with clarithromycin for the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis in children. J Int Med Res. 1998 Jun-Jul;26(3):152-8 | PubMed |
  57. Weippl G. Multicentre comparison of azithromycin versus erythromycin in the treatment of paediatric pharyngitis or tonsillitis caused by group A streptococci. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1993 Jun;31 Suppl E:95-101 | PubMed |
  58. Zwart S, Sachs AP, Ruijs GJ, Gubbels JW, Hoes AW, de Melker RA. Penicillin for acute sore throat: randomised double blind trial of seven days versus three days treatment or placebo in adults. BMJ. 2000 Jan 15;320(7228):150-4 | PubMed |
  59. Zwart S, Rovers MM, de Melker RA, Hoes AW. Penicillin for acute sore throat in children: randomised, double blind trial. BMJ. 2003 Dec 6;327(7427):1324 | PubMed |
  60. Piñeiro Pérez R, Hijano Bandera F, Alvez González F, Fernández Landaluce A, Silva Rico JC, Pérez Cánovas C, et al. [Consensus document on the diagnosis and treatment of acute tonsillopharyngitis]. An Pediatr (Barc). 2011 Nov;75(5):342.e1-13 | CrossRef | PubMed |
  61. Randel A; Infectious Disease Society of America. IDSA Updates Guideline for Managing Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis. Am Fam Physician. 2013 Sep 1;88(5):338-40 | PubMed |
  62. Shulman ST, Bisno AL, Clegg HW, Gerber MA, Kaplan EL, Lee G, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis: 2012 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2012 Nov 15;55(10):1279-82 | CrossRef | PubMed |
Altamimi S, Khalil A, Khalaiwi KA, Milner RA, Pusic MV, Al Othman MA. Short-term late-generation antibiotics versus longer term penicillin for acute streptococcal pharyngitis in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Aug 15;(8):CD004872 | CrossRef | PubMed |

Casey JR, Pichichero ME. Metaanalysis of short course antibiotic treatment for group a streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2005 Oct;24(10):909-17 | PubMed |

Casey JR, Pichichero ME. Higher dosages of azithromycin are more effective in treatment of group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. Clin Infect Dis. 2005 Jun 15;40(12):1748-55 | PubMed |

Falagas ME, Vouloumanou EK, Matthaiou DK, Kapaskelis AM, Karageorgopoulos DE. Effectiveness and safety of short-course vs long-course antibiotic therapy for group a beta hemolytic streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis: a meta-analysis of randomized trials. Mayo Clin Proc. 2008 Aug;83(8):880-9 | PubMed |

Pichichero ME, Casey JR. Bacterial eradication rates with shortened courses of 2nd- and 3rd-generation cephalosporins versus 10 days of penicillin for treatment of group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in adults. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2007 Oct;59(2):127-30 | PubMed |

Adam D, Hostalek U, Tröster K. 5-day cefixime therapy for bacterial pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis: comparison with 10-day penicillin V therapy. Cefixime Study Group. Infection. 1995;23 Suppl 2:S83-6 | PubMed |

Adam D, Scholz H. Five days of erythromycin estolate versus ten days of penicillin V in the treatment of group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in children. Pharyngitis Study Group. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 1996 Sep;15(9):712-7 | PubMed |

Adam D, Scholz H, Helmerking M. Comparison of short-course (5 day) cefuroxime axetil with a standard 10 day oral penicillin V regimen in the treatment of tonsillopharyngitis. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2000 Feb;45 Suppl:23-30 | PubMed |

Adam D, Scholz H, Helmerking M. Short-course antibiotic treatment of 4782 culture-proven cases of group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis and incidence of poststreptococcal sequelae. J Infect Dis. 2000 Aug;182(2):509-16 | PubMed |

Aujard Y, Boucot I, Brahimi N, Chiche D, Bingen E. Comparative efficacy and safety of four-day cefuroxime axetil and ten-day penicillin treatment of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis in children. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1995 Apr;14(4):295-300 | PubMed |

Carbon C, Chatelin A, Bingen E, Zuck P, Rio Y, Guetat F, et al. A double-blind randomized trial comparing the efficacy and safety of a 5-day course of cefotiam hexetil with that of a 10-day course of penicillin V in adult patients with pharyngitis caused by group A beta-haemolytic streptococci. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1995 Jun;35(6):843-54 | PubMed |

Cohen R, Levy C, Doit C, De La Rocque F, Boucherat M, Fitoussi F, et al. Six-day amoxicillin vs. ten-day penicillin V therapy for group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1996 Aug;15(8):678-82 | PubMed |

Cohen R, Reinert P, De La Rocque F, Levy C, Boucherat M, Robert M, et al. Comparison of two dosages of azithromycin for three days versus penicillin V for ten days in acute group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2002 Apr;21(4):297-303 | PubMed |

Cremer J, Wallrauch C, Milatovic D, Braveny I. Azithromycin versus cefaclor in the treatment of pediatric patients with acute group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 1998 Apr;17(4):235-9 | PubMed |

Esposito S, Noviello S, Ianniello F, D'Errico G. Short-course therapy with cefaclor for treatment of streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2001 Oct;18(4):341-5 | PubMed |

García Callejo FJ, Velert Vila MM, Orts Alborch MH, Pardo Mateu L, Esparcia Navarro M. [Comparison of azithromycin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and cefaclor in the treatment of acute ENT infections]. Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp. 1998 May;49(4):306-12 | PubMed |

Gehanno P, Chiche D. Treatment of group a beta hemolytic streptococcal tonsillitis with cefuroxime axetil for 4 days : a comparative study with penicillin v for 10 days. Médecine et Maladies Infectieuses. 1991;21:66-70 | Link |

Gerber MA, Randolph MF, Chanatry J, Wright LL, De Meo K, Kaplan EL. Five vs ten days of penicillin V therapy for streptococcal pharyngitis. Am J Dis Child. 1987 Feb;141(2):224-7 | PubMed |

Hamill J. Multicentre evaluation of azithromycin and penicillin V in the treatment of acute streptococcal pharyngitis and tonsillitis in children. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1993 Jun;31 Suppl E:89-94 | PubMed |

Hooton TM. A comparison of azithromycin and penicillin V for the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis. Am J Med. 1991 Sep 12;91(3A):23S-26S | PubMed |

Kafetzis DA, Liapi G, Tsolia M, Aoudi H, Mathioudakis J, Paraskakis I, et al. Failure to eradicate Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci (GABHS) from the upper respiratory tract after antibiotic treatment. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2004 Jan;23(1):67-71 | PubMed |

Kaplan EL, Gooch III WM, Notario GF, Craft JC. Macrolide therapy of group A streptococcal pharyngitis: 10 days of macrolide therapy (clarithromycin) is more effective in streptococcal eradication than 5 days (azithromycin). Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Jun 15;32(12):1798-802 | PubMed |

McCarty J, Hedrick JA, Gooch WM. Clarithromycin suspension vs penicillin V suspension in children with streptococcal pharyngitis. Adv Ther. 2000 Jan-Feb;17(1):14-26 | PubMed |

Mehra S, van Moerkerke M, Welck J, Sverrisson G, Sirotiakova J, Marr C, et al. Short course therapy with cefuroxime axetil for group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in children. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1998 Jun;17(6):452-7 | PubMed |

Milatovic D. Evaluation of cefadroxil, penicillin and erythromycin in the treatment of streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1991 Oct;10(10 Suppl):S61-3 | PubMed |

Müller O. Comparison of azithromycin versus clarithromycin in the treatment of patients with upper respiratory tract infections. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1993 Jun;31 Suppl E:137-46 | PubMed |

Müller O. An open comparative study of azithromycin and roxithromycin in the treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1996 Jun;37 Suppl C:83-92 | PubMed |

Norrby SR, Rabie WJ, Bacart P, Mueller O, Leroy B, Rangaraju M, et al. Efficacy of short-course therapy with the ketolide telithromycin compared with 10 days of penicillin V for the treatment of pharyngitis/tonsillitis. Scand J Infect Dis. 2001;33(12):883-90 | PubMed |

O'Doherty B. An open comparative study of azithromycin versus cefaclor in the treatment of patients with upper respiratory tract infections. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1996 Jun;37 Suppl C:71-81 | PubMed |

O'Doherty B. Azithromycin versus penicillin V in the treatment of paediatric patients with acute streptococcal pharyngitis/tonsillitis. Paediatric azithromycin Study Group. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 1996 Sep;15(9):718-24 | PubMed |

Pacifico L, Scopetti F, Ranucci A, Pataracchia M, Savignoni F, Chiesa C. Comparative efficacy and safety of 3-day azithromycin and 10-day penicillin V treatment of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis in children. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1996 Apr;40(4):1005-8 | PubMed |

Padilla-Raygoza N. Comparison of clarithromycin and azithromycin for treatment of streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis in children. Infections in Medicine. 1998;15:23-27. | Link |

Pavesio D, Pecco P, Peisino MG. Short-term treatment of streptococcal tonsillitis with ceftriaxone. Chemotherapy. 1988;34 Suppl 1:34-8 | PubMed | Link |

Peixoto E, Ramet J, Kissling M. Cefetamet pivoxil in pharyngotonsillitis due to group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. Current therapeutic research. 1993;53(6):694-706. | Link |

Peyramond D, Tigaud S, Bremard-Oury C, Scheimberg A. Multicenter comparative trial of cefixime and phenoxymethylpenicillin for group a beta-hemolytic streptococcal tonsillitis. Current Therapeutic Research. 1994;55:14-21. | Link |

Peyramond D, Portier H, Geslin P, Cohen R. 6-day amoxicillin versus 10-day penicillin V for group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal acute tonsillitis in adults: a French multicentre, open-label, randomized study. The French Study Group Clamorange. Scand J Infect Dis. 1996;28(5):497-501 | PubMed |

Pichichero ME, Gooch WM, Rodriguez W, Blumer JL, Aronoff SC, Jacobs RF, et al. Effective short-course treatment of acute group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. Ten days of penicillin V vs 5 days or 10 days of cefpodoxime therapy in children. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1994 Oct;148(10):1053-60 | PubMed |

Portier H, Chavanet P, Gouyon JB, Guetat F. Five day treatment of pharyngotonsillitis with cefpodoxime proxetil. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1990 Dec;26 Suppl E:79-85 | PubMed |

Portier H, Chavanet P, Waldner-Combernoux A, Kisterman JP, Grey PC, Ichou F, et al. Five versus ten days treatment of streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis: a randomized controlled trial comparing cefpodoxime proxetil and phenoxymethyl penicillin. Scand J Infect Dis. 1994;26(1):59-66 | PubMed |

Portier H, Lucht F, Lescale O, Kazmierczak A, Ros A, Scheimberg A. Multicenter comparative trial and penicillin V as treatment of group a beta hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) pharyngitis. Médecine et Maladies Infectieuses. 1995;25(10):1005-1010. | Link |

Portier H, Bourrillon A, Lucht F, Choutet P, Géhanno P, Meziane L, et al. [Treatment of acute group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal tonsillitis in children with a 5-day course of josamycin]. Arch Pediatr. 2001 Jul;8(7):700-6 | PubMed |

Portier H, Filipecki J, Weber P, Goldfarb G, Lethuaire D, Chauvin JP. Five day clarithromycin modified release versus 10 day penicillin V for group A streptococcal pharyngitis: a multi-centre, open-label, randomized study. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2002 Feb;49(2):337-44 | PubMed |

Schaad UB, Heynen G. Evaluation of the efficacy, safety and toleration of azithromycin vs. penicillin V in the treatment of acute streptococcal pharyngitis in children: results of a multicenter, open comparative study. The Swiss Tonsillopharyngitis Study Group. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1996 Sep;15(9):791-5 | PubMed |

Schaad UB, Kellerhals P, Altwegg M; Swiss Pharyngitis Study Group. Azithromycin versus penicillin V for treatment of acute group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2002 Apr;21(4):304-8 | PubMed |

Scholz H. Streptococcal-A tonsillopharyngitis: a 5-day course of cefuroxime axetil versus a 10-day course of penicillin V. results depending on the children's age. Chemotherapy. 2004 Apr;50(1):51-4 | PubMed |

Schwartz RH, Wientzen RL Jr, Pedreira F, Feroli EJ, Mella GW, Guandolo VL. Penicillin V for group A streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis. A randomized trial of seven vs ten days' therapy. JAMA. 1981 Oct 16;246(16):1790-5 | PubMed |

Sinanian R, Ruoff G, Panzer J, Atkinson W. Streptococcal pharyngitis: a comparison of the eradication of the organism by 5- and 10-day antibiotic therapy. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 1972 Nov;14(11):716-20 | PubMed |

Still JG. Azithromycin suspension vs penicillin suspension in treatment of children with streptococcal pharyngitis. CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS. 1993;53(2):195-195. | Link |

Still JG. Treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis in children with five days of azithromycin suspension, abstr. M67. 34th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. American Society for Microbiology, Washington, DC. 1994:246 | Link |

Still JG. Management of pediatric patients with group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus pharyngitis: treatment options. The Pediatric infectious disease journal. 1995;14(4):S57-61 | Link |

Strömberg A, Schwan A, Cars O. Five versus ten days treatment of group A streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis: a randomized controlled clinical trial with phenoxymethylpenicillin and cefadroxil. Scand J Infect Dis. 1988;20(1):37-46 | PubMed |

Syrogiannopoulos GA, Bozdogan B, Grivea IN, Ednie LM, Kritikou DI, Katopodis GD, et al. Two dosages of clarithromycin for five days, amoxicillin/clavulanate for five days or penicillin V for ten days in acute group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2004 Sep;23(9):857-65 | PubMed |

Tack KJ, Hedrick JA, Rothstein E, Nemeth MA, Keyserling C, Pichichero ME. A study of 5-day cefdinir treatment for streptococcal pharyngitis in children. Cefdinir Pediatric Pharyngitis Study Group. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1997 Jan;151(1):45-9 | PubMed |

Tack KJ, Henry DC, Gooch WM, Brink DN, Keyserling CH. Five-day cefdinir treatment for streptococcal pharyngitis. Cefdinir Pharyngitis Study Group. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1998 May;42(5):1073-5 | PubMed |

Takker U, Dzyublyk O, Busman T, Notario G. Comparison of 5 days of extended-release clarithromycin versus 10 days of penicillin V for the treatment of streptococcal haryngitis/tonsillitis: results of a multicenter, double-blind, randomized study in adolescent and adult patients. Curr Med Res Opin. 2003;19(5):421-9 | PubMed |

Venuta A, Laudizi L, Beverelli A, Bettelli F, Milioli S, Garetti E. Azithromycin compared with clarithromycin for the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis in children. J Int Med Res. 1998 Jun-Jul;26(3):152-8 | PubMed |

Weippl G. Multicentre comparison of azithromycin versus erythromycin in the treatment of paediatric pharyngitis or tonsillitis caused by group A streptococci. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1993 Jun;31 Suppl E:95-101 | PubMed |

Zwart S, Sachs AP, Ruijs GJ, Gubbels JW, Hoes AW, de Melker RA. Penicillin for acute sore throat: randomised double blind trial of seven days versus three days treatment or placebo in adults. BMJ. 2000 Jan 15;320(7228):150-4 | PubMed |

Zwart S, Rovers MM, de Melker RA, Hoes AW. Penicillin for acute sore throat in children: randomised, double blind trial. BMJ. 2003 Dec 6;327(7427):1324 | PubMed |

Piñeiro Pérez R, Hijano Bandera F, Alvez González F, Fernández Landaluce A, Silva Rico JC, Pérez Cánovas C, et al. [Consensus document on the diagnosis and treatment of acute tonsillopharyngitis]. An Pediatr (Barc). 2011 Nov;75(5):342.e1-13 | CrossRef | PubMed |

Randel A; Infectious Disease Society of America. IDSA Updates Guideline for Managing Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis. Am Fam Physician. 2013 Sep 1;88(5):338-40 | PubMed |

Shulman ST, Bisno AL, Clegg HW, Gerber MA, Kaplan EL, Lee G, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis: 2012 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2012 Nov 15;55(10):1279-82 | CrossRef | PubMed |