MULTICENTER COMPARATIVE TRIAL OF JOSAMYCI N AND PENICILLIN-V AS TREATMENT OF GROUP-A BETA-HEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCUS (GA-BETA-HS) PHARYNGITIS

The aim of this multicenter randomized open comparative study was to c ompare the clinical efficacy, the eradication rate and the tolerance o f josamycin 2 g (or 50 mg/kg/d) b.i.d. for 5 days and penicillin V 1 m illion t.i.d. for 10 days as treatment of GA beta HS pharyngitis. Amon g 265 patients included in the present study, 130 were randomized to r eceive josamycin and 135 penicillin V. The two groups were homogeneous in all respects, with the exception of cardiovascular disorders which were significantly more frequent in the penicillin V treated patients . The GA beta HS eradication rates and clinical efficay were similar i n the 2 groups. Fever duration disappeared significantly faster in the josamycin group (p = 0.04). Safety was identical in both groups. On t he basis of the findings of the study, a 5-days course of josamycin ca n be considered to provide a safe and effective treatment fo GA beta H S pharyngitis.