[Amoxicillin in the treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy--3g single dose versus 3 times 750mg 4-day therapy]

Abstract

A prospective, randomized, controlled comparative clinical trial was conducted to assess the efficacy and tolerability of 2 regimens of amoxicillin. In group A a single dose of 3 g amoxicillin and in group B a 4-day course of 3 doses of 750 mg amoxicillin tablets were administered 8-hourly. Significant bacteriuria (greater than or equal to 10(5) cfu/ml midstream urine) and of urine samples obtained by bladder catheterization (greater than or equal to 10(4) cfu/ml) was diagnosed with the dip-slide method (Uricult). 91 pregnant women with a mean gestational age of 25 weeks (14-38) were randomly allocated to both treatment groups. Group A consisted of 53 patients, group B of 38. The treatment groups were comparable in terms of age, duration of pregnancy and additional therapy. Control examinations of urine cultures were taken after 1 and 4 weeks following therapy. The predominant bacterial species was E. coli isolated in 60 to 65 percent. Bacteriological cure rates at 1 and 4 weeks were in group A 77% and 74% and in group B 62% each respectively. The differences in cure rates were not significant. Side effects occurred in group A in 4% and in group B in 13%. Our results suggest that for the treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy a single dose of 3 g of amoxicillin is equally effective and acceptable as a 4-day course with the advantage of a lower total-dose, lower costs and a better compliance.