Treatment of children with secretory otitis media (SOM) with amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (Spektramox) or penicillin-V (Primcillin). Bacteriological findings in the nasopharynx before and after treatment

Abstract

A total of 386 children, aged 1-10, with secretory otitis media for at least 3 months were randomly allocated to 2 or 4 weeks' treatment with penicillin-V (Primcillin) or amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (Spektramox). Spektramox was superior (p < 0.01) to Primcillin in eradicating Haemophilus influenzae and Branhamella catarrhalis from the nasopharynx. No difference was noted for Streptococcus pneumoniae and haemolytic streptococci, gr. A, B, C, G. No increase in the number of beta-lactamase-producing bacteria was noted after treatment. The nasopharynx was recolonized with the same bacteria within 4 weeks from cessation of treatment.