Comparison Between the Effect of Lincomycin and Azithromycin on Streptococcal Pharyngitis

Abstract

Acute follicular tonsillitis is a common disorder that affects mainly pediatric and teenage age groups. Although it is highly curable, there are still many complications (like rheumatoid arthritis, valvular heart disease, middle ear infection, meningeal infection, and sinusitis) that make this infection in group A streptococci (G.A.S.) require proper and fast treatment. Azithromycin macrolide antibiotics have been used for a long time as a substitute for lincomycin antibiotics, whereas penicillins were shown to be allergic for some patients. Aim of the study: to assess the potency of either azithromycin or lincomycin on G.A.S. pharyngitis Patients and method: 84 patients with acute pharyngeal infection with G.A.S. were enrolled in this study and divided randomly into two equal groups. Group A received azithromycin, and group B received lincomycin. Both groups received their treatment for 5 days, after which rapid strep test (RST), leucocyte count WBC, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were done and compared to the 1st day of identification. Statistical analysis was done to evaluate the statistical significance of tested drugs. Results: Overall, the results demonstrate that lincomycin has a higher rate of curing G.A.S. tonsillitis than azithromycin, making it a preferred antibiotic agent.