ERYTHROMYCIN TREATMENT IS BENEFICIAL FOR LONGSTANDING MORAXELLA-CATARRHALIS ASSOCIATED COUGH IN CHILDREN

The benefits of antibiotic treatment and a nasopharyngeal culture in c hildren with long-standing cough were analysed in a prospective random ized open study. Clinically suspected pertussis was excluded. Of 40 ch ildren given erythromycin for 7 days, 35 (88%) recovered in one week, compared with 17/47 (36%) untreated (p<0.0001). Erythromycin eliminate d Moraxella catarrhalis from the nasopharynx in 21/31 children (68%), compared with spontaneous disappearance in 7/35 (20%) untreated contro ls (p<0.001). Purulent bronchitis or otitis media occurred in 2 childr en (5%) in the treatment group and in 21 (45%) in the control group (p <0.01). To evaluate the clinical role of isolated pathogens, the 47 un treated subjects were studied. Seven of 35 children harbouring M. cata rrhalis recovered, compared with 8/12 in whom this bacterium was absen t (p<0.01). No correlation was found between the isolation of Haemophi lus influenzae or Streptococcus pneumoniae and the clinical outcome. C hildren with persistent cough >10 days may benefit from erythromycin t reatment. M. catarrhalis in the nasopharynx indicates prolonged sympto ms and increased risk of bacterial complications.