Prophylaxis of recurrent acute otitis media and middle-ear effusion: comparison of amoxicillin with sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim

Article Abstract:

Recurrences of otitis media, a common childhood ear infection, can cause long-term problems in some children. In children prone to otitis media, antibiotic therapy can be given to prevent infections. The effectiveness of ampicillin and combined therapy with sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim were compared. The 96 children in the study had suffered at least three episodes of otitis media in the six months before therapy was begun. Otitis media developed nine times in nine (27 percent) of the 33 children receiving amoxicillin as a preventative therapy, while it occurred 11 times in the same number of the 33 children receiving sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. The condition developed 25 times in 19 (63 percent) of the 30 children who were not given antibiotics. There were a reduced number of episodes among the children receiving antibiotic therapy, particularly those under two and those attending day care centers. Although amoxicillin is still the drug of choice, the combined sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim therapy can be used with children allergic to other antibiotics or with children living in areas where the infecting organisms are resistant to amoxicillin. Both drugs were safely administered with no complications. Antibiotic therapy for the prevention of otitis media should last for six months. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Drug therapy, Otitis media, Amoxicillin, Trimethoprim, Sulfamethizole

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Long-term administration of aerosolized pentamidine as primary prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in infants and children with symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus infection

Article Abstract:

Aerosolized pentamidine can be safely given to young HIV-infected children to prevent Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and the best dosage appears to be 60 milligrams (mg) every 2 weeks. This was demonstrated in a study comparing 60 children taking 60 mg every 2 weeks and 80 children taking 120 mg every 4 weeks. Ninety-three percent had been infected during birth. The treatment was administered using a nebulizer and most of the children and their families found the treatment easy to administer. Two children treated once a month developed PCP and they were also more likely to experience side effects.

Complications and side effects, HIV infection in children, Pediatric HIV infections, Aerosol therapy

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Meta-analysis of prophylactic treatments against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and toxoplasma encephalitis in HIV-infected patients

Article Abstract:

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole appears to be effective in preventing Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and toxoplasmosis compared to other preventive treatments among patients infected with HIV. Researchers pooled the results of 22 studies comparing at least two preventive treatments including trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, dapsone alone, dapsone with pyrimethamine, and pentamidine. The risk for contracting P. carinii pneumonia was significantly lower among patients treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole than pentamidine or dapsone with pyrimethamine. The risk for toxoplasmosis was mixed.

Dapsone, Co-trimoxazole, Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Drug combination), Pyrimethamine

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