Effect of Makyokanseki-to on Mycoplasma Pneumonia of Children in Subacute Stage / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

Nineteen children with mycoplasmic pneumonia who were treated with western medicine until CRP values became negative and who had coughing and dry mouth were treated with the Makyo-kanseki-to extract in a daily dose of 2-3g in addition to Western medicine (Kampo combination group). They visited my clinic in 1992 and 1993. Sixteen children with mild mycoplasmic pneumonia were treated with western medicine alone at the Department of Pediatrics, Chiba Municipal Kaihin Hospital (Western medicine group). Antibacterial agents included oral ricamycin or minomycin. Diagnosis was made when the mycoplasma antibody titer (CF, HA) in the paired serum was four-fold or more. Coughing disappeared in all patients in the Kampo combination group after Makyo-kanseki-to was added for a period of two to four days. The mean duration of administration of the antibacterial agent was 7. 1±1.3 days and the mean duration required to eliminate coughing was 10.2±1.2 days. Both figures were lower than those in the Western medicine group, namely 10.8±2.0 days and 12.3±4.7 days respectively (P₁<0.0001, P₂=0.06). It occurred to me that coughing and dry mouth, which are noted during the recovery stage of mycoplasmic pneumonia in children, are primary symptoms for which Makyo-kanseki-to is indicated. This formulation indeed improved these symptoms. The results suggest that Makyo-kanseki-to may be useful for coughing in mycoplasmic pneumonia.