Randomized comparative evaluation of augmentin® and cefaclor in pediatric skin and soft-tissue infections

The efficacy and safety of Augmentin®*, a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, was compared with that of cefaclor in the treatment of 43 children with skin and soft-tissue infections. Thirty-two of these patients had classical impetigo from which Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant pathogen isolated. In one-fourth of the patients, either Escherichia coli, sp., or enterococcus was isolated from the skin lesions. Augmentin resistance was noted in 7.5 percent of the isolates, while resistance to cefaclor was noted in 9.2 percent. Eighteen of 21 patients in the Augmentin group and 17 of 22 children in the cefaclor group showed clinical improvement on therapy. However, Staphylococcus aureus persisted in 67 percent of the cefaclor-treated patients and 14 percent of the Augmentin-treated patients from it was isolated. No side effects requiring alteration of therapy were noted with either treatment regimen. We conclude that both Augmentin and cefaclor may be safe and effective in the treatment of skin and soft-tissue infections in children. Since Augmentin may be more effective in eradicating Staphylococcus aureus, it may be a more rational choice for empiric therapy of skin and soft-tissue infections in children