1 Pediatric Research Laboratory, Long Island Jewish Hospital, New Hyde Park, Long Island, New York
The relative effectiveness of erythromycin propionate and K penicillin V in two dosage schedules was evaluated in the treatment of 261 cases of acute pharyngitis from which Group A hemolytic streptococci were recovered from December, 1958, to June, 1959. Erythromycin propionate, in a daily dose of 30 mg/kg up to 1.0 gm, and K penicillin V, in daily doses of 375 mg and 750 mg, were administered orally for 10 days. The adjusted bacterial cure rate was 78% among 86 patients treated with erythromycin, 72% among 102 patients treated with K penicillin V, 375 mg, and 88% among 73 patients treated with K penicillin V, 750 mg. The data indicate that K penicillin V was more effective in eradicating Group A streptococci from the pharynx in a daily dose of 750 mg than 375 mg, and suggest that erythromycin propionate in the dosage used, was less effective than K penicillin V, 750 mg, but equally as effective as K penicillin V, 375 mg daily. The incidence, time of occurrence, and results of retreatments of bacterial relapses are presented, and two possible causes of relapses are considered.
Submitted on May 2, 1962