A comparative study of amoxicillin, erythromycin, cefadroxil, and gatifloxacin in treatment of acute lower respiratory tract infections

Introduction: Community-acquired acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) incorporates a spectrum of diseases from acute bronchitis, acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia. It is the most common cause for consulting general practice and OPD. This study was undertaken to compare older and newer antimicrobials in terms of clinical efficacy, tolerability and cost for the initial treatment for OPD management of LRTI in a government medical college setup. This randomized, prospective study was conducted in theMaterial And Methods: Medicine OPD of a government medical college, over a period of one year.Patients of either sex, aged between 16-60 yrs satisfying following definitions of acute bronchitis (with secondary bacterial infection), acute exacerbation of COPD and community acquired pneumonia were selected for the study. Patients were randomly assigned to one of the following treatment groups: Ÿ Group I- Amoxicillin 500 mg three times a day for 7 days. Ÿ Group II - Erythromycin 500mg four times a day for 7 days Ÿ Group III - Cefadroxil 500mg two times a day for 7 days Ÿ Group IV-Gatifloxacin 400mg once a day for 7 day Efficacy and safety of all antimicrobials were assessed and compared Results: Satisfactory clinical outcome as cure and improvement was obtained in 48 % and 36% in amoxicillin, 52% and 33% in erythromycin 49% and 38% in cefadroxil, 64% and 27% in gatifloxacin group respectively. Unsatisfactory clinical outcome as failure was recorded in 16%, 15%, 13% and 9% of amoxicillin, erythromycin, cefadroxil and gatifloxacin groups respectively. All the four drugs were equally effective with more than 80% efficacy in treatment ofConclusions: LRTI. The treatment groups did not differ in incidence of adverse events. All the adverse effects were mild and did not require cessation of therapy.

Probiotic Bacteriotherapy and Its Oral Health Perspective.

As health professionals, we prescribe wide range of chemotherapeutics to the patients to control or to prevent the disease. When there is excessive use of antibiotics, it leads to imbalance between the beneficial and harmful microorganisms, making our body more susceptible to infections. Probiotics are living microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host. They are living microorganisms added to food which beneficially affect the host by improving its intestinal microbial balance. Intestine’s microbial colonization is determined by the maternal intestinal flora and surroundings. Oral cavity is a complex ecosystem which has rich and diverse microbiota. The change in environment may be due to illness, debility, behaviour, diet or medications. So, an obvious fact is that changes in this ecology may give rise to dental diseases. A slight change in environment promotes the potential pathogens gain competitive advantage under appropriate conditions. Then, the pathogens increase in great numbers to predispose a site to disease. In order to cure the disease, probiotic approach, may be used. In probiotic method, whole bacteria replacement therapy is given which may be very effective in eliminating the dangerous pathogens from the oral cavity. Different probiotics are provided in products such as in medicines, beverages, milk-based foods, dietary supplements, etc. This review highlights the effectiveness of probiotics in improving the oral health.

A Comparative Evaluation between Propolis and Mineral Trioxide Aggregate as Pulpotomy Medicaments in Primary Molars.

Pulpotomy is defined as the complete removal of coronal portion of dental pulp followed by placement of a suitable dressing or medicament that will promote healing and preserve the vitality of the tooth.1 This treatment helps to maintain the primary tooth in the arch and to fulfil its function in primary and mixed dentition period.2 Since its introduction by Sweet (1932), Formocresol (FC) has been a popular pulpotomy medicament in the primary dentition for the past 80 years.3 However, it has many disadvantages like cytotoxicity, pulpal inflammation and necrosis, systemic disturbances, mutagenic and carcinogenic potential and immunologic responses.4METHODS40 carious primary molars selected from 32 children aged between 4-9 years were included in the study. The selected teeth were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group A: 20 primary molars to be pulpotomised with MTA. Group B: 20 primary molars were treated with 15% Propolis tincture. The children were recalled at 3, 6- and 12-months interval for clinical and radiographical evaluation.RESULTSThere was also absence of periapical radiolucency in propolis group at 3 months whereas in the MTA group periapical radiolucency was present in 1 (5.6%) tooth at 3 months. There was absence of sinus/ fistula in MTA group, while one (5.9%) tooth developed sinus/ fistula in propolis group at 6 months. There was also absence of sinus/ fistula in MTA group, while two (11.1%) teeth developed sinus/ fistula in propolis group at 12 months. At 12 months success rate was higher in MTA group (6 months- 100% and 12 months – 94.4%) as compared to Propolis (6 months- 88.2% and 12 months – 88.9%).CONCLUSIONSClinical outcome of Propolis is comparable to that of MTA at both 6 and 12 months follow up period. Hence, Propolis seems to be a promising and a reliable medicament for pulpotomy.