Efficacy and safety of azithromycin 1.5% eye drops in paediatric population with purulent bacterial conjunctivitis

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy and safety of azithromycin 1.5% eye drops in a paediatric population with purulent bacterial conjunctivitis.Patients and methodsThis was a multicentre, international, randomised, investigator-masked study in 286 children with purulent discharge and bulbar conjunctival injection. Patients received either azithromycin 1.5% eye drops (twice daily for 3 days) or tobramycin 0.3% eye drops (every 2 h for 2 days, then four times daily for 5 days). Clinical signs were evaluated on day (D) 0, 3 and 7, and cultures on D0 and D7. The primary variable was the clinical cure (absence of bulbar conjunctival injection and discharge) on D3 in the worse eye for patients with positive cultures on D0.Results286 patients (mean age 3.2 years; range 1 day–17 years) were included; 203 had positive cultures on D0. Azithromycin was superior to tobramycin in clinical cure rate on D3 (47.1% vs 28.7%, p=0.013) and was non-inferior to tobramycin on D7 (89.2% vs 78.2%, respectively). Azithromycin treatment eradicated causative pathogens, including resistant species, with a similar resolution rate to tobramycin (89.8% vs 87.2%, respectively). These results were confirmed in a subgroup of patients younger than 24 months old.ConclusionsAzithromycin 1.5% eye drops provided a more rapid clinical cure than tobramycin 0.3% eye drops in the treatment of purulent bacterial conjunctivitis in children, with a more convenient twice-a-day dosing regimen.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylethanol alleviates early brain injury by modulating oxidative stress and Akt and nuclear factor-κB pathways in a rat model of subarachnoid hemorrhage

“…Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a common cerebrovascular disease, accounting for ~5% of stroke cases, and there are 30,000 new cases annually in the US (1). Since the American Heart Association (AHA) issued treatment guidelines for SAH in 2004 (2), progress has been made in the diagnostic methods, endovascular therapy, surgery and perioperative management of SAH; however, the prognosis of SAH remains unsatisfactory, with a mortality and disability rate of up to 45% (3,4).…”

Pediatric ocular nanomedicines: Challenges and opportunities

“…Approximately 70%–80% of all conjunctivitis cases in children arise from bacterial infection [10]. Symptoms include burning, itching, foreign body sensations, discharge, overproduction of tears, and variable presence of papillae (bacterial and allergic conjunctivitis) or follicles (viral or chemical conjunctivitis) [11].…”

“…Despite ongoing global efforts to invigorate clinical trials in the pediatric population, the safety and efficacy of most topical antibiotics have been proven and subsequently approved based on studies in adults [13]. Topical administration of the treatment was favorable in the way of safety, comfort, and tolerance [10]. Historically, bacterial conjunctivitis has also been treated successfully via topical sulfacetamide, trimethoprim-polymyxin B, gentamicin, tobramycin, and erythromycin ointments [11].…”

Efficacy of Azithromycin 1% and 1.5% ophthalmic solutions compared to tobramycin 0.3% eye drops: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The clinical efficacy and microbial eradications of 1% and 1.5% azithromycin ophthalmic solutions were found to have comparable results for treatment of different eye diseases like purulent bacterial conjunctivitis (5,6), meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis (7) and papulopustular rosacea (8).…”