Épidémiologie de la résistance aux antibiotiques des pathogènes respiratoires en France en 2000-2001 ; apport de la télithromycine

[Resistance of infectious agents involved in low respiratory tract infections in France]

This review concerning the major lower respiratory tract pathogens in France has for aim to describe the epidemiology of resistance to beta-lactams, macrolides, ketolides, and fluoroquinolones especially in Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. It should also provide new insights on the mechanisms of acquired resistance and the level of resistance conferred, highlighting the related ecological impact. In the context of this XVth consensus conference, this review should contribute to the elaboration of guidelines for the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections in adults.

[Community-acquired acute maxillary sinusitis or rhinosinusitis in adults in France: current management]

Sinus infections, often viral, are a common reason for physician visits. The multiplicity of clinical presentations makes its diagnosis difficult. The problem is to recognize bacterial infection without additional testing, except in cases of treatment failures, complications or relapse. Patients with signs suggestive of rhinosinusitis fall into one of four basic clinical situations: common colds, 'doubtful' rhinosinusitis, apparent acute maxillary bacterial rhinosinusitis, and complications. Anterior rhinoscopy may help confirm diagnosis. Current bacterial epidemiology is based on the results of clinical studies, microbial ecology, and samples taken in cases of treatment failure. The two bacteria isolated most frequently are Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, both of which pose resistance problems. Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus are isolated less often. The dominant issue in management of acute rhinosinusitis is whether to use antibiotic or symptomatic treatment. For viral infections, antibiotic therapy is useless and highly inadvisable. For 'doubtful' infections, symptomatic treatment is likely to lead to recovery. The use of non-recommended antibiotics also increases the risk of selection of resistant bacteria. When bacterial rhinosinusitis is strongly suspected, recourse to antibiotic treatment is recommended in view of the benefits in this situation (AFSSAPS 2005). This treatment is probabilistic, should be decided at the end of the consultation, and follows the AFSSAPS guidelines.

Efficacité et tolérance de la clarithromycine, forme à libération modifiée en traitement court de cinq jours dans les exacerbations aiguës de bronchite chronique, comparativement à la télithromycine

BACKGROUND

The extended-release formulation of clarithromycin (CLA-ER) allows using this macrolide as a single daily dose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the CLA-ER formulation (500 mgx2) vs telithromycin (TELI) (400 mgx2) as a short course 5-day treatment, once a day, in patients with AECB.

METHOD

This randomized double-blind study was conducted in patients with AECB without severe airflow limitation (FEV1>35%), with sputum purulence (mandatory criterion), and with either increased sputum volume or increased dyspnea, or both (Anthonisen criteria I or II).

RESULTS

Three hundred sixty-two patients were assessed (62.6 years of age+/-12.9, men: 58.8%) positive culture on inclusion for 53.8%, with Haemophilus influenzae (N=57), Moraxella catarrhalis (N=42), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (N=41). In the per protocol population, the clinical success rate at day 8 was 97% (161/166) vs 97% (146/151), 97.5% CI=[-4.12 -4.71], the clinical cure rate at day 30 was 78% (129/166) versus 77% (116/151), P=0.85, and mean time without recurrence was 62 days versus 61 days (P=0.51), in CLA-ER and TELI groups, respectively. Fourteen patients in the CLA-ER group (8.2%) and 20 patients in the TELI group (12.4%) experienced at least one treatment-related adverse event (P=0.21), upon which gastrointestinal events were the most commonly reported treatment-related ones.

CONCLUSION

CLA-ER (1000 mg once a day) for 5 days is at least as effective as telithromycin in the treatment of AECB without severe airflow limitation and is well tolerated.

Efficacité et tolérance de la télithromycine dans le traitement des sinusites maxillaires aiguës

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of 5 days of telithromycin (800 mg once a day) in the treatment of bacteriologically proven acute maxillary sinusitis (AMS).

DESIGN

Two hundred and sixty-three patients with a clinically diagnosed AMS and purulent rhinorrhea were included in this prospective, multicenter, non-comparative open-labeled French study. Pus was sampled from the middle meatus before inclusion. The bacterial origin of the infection was confirmed by a scientific committee (presence of leucocytes/bacteria on direct microscopic examination of pus, and positive culture).

RESULTS

Seven to 14 days after the end of the treatment the clinical success rate (cure and improvement) was 91% (63/69 patients) in the per protocol bacteriologically documented (PPb) population and 90% (231/257 patients) in the modified intent-to-treat population. The main strains identified in the 69 patients of PPb population were Streptococcus pneumoniae (47.8%, of which 15 strains with reduced susceptibility to penicillin and 15 erythromycin resistant strains), Haemophilus influenzae (14.5%), Branhamella catarrhalis (8.7%) and Streptococcus aureus (29.0%). Drug tolerance was assessed on 263 patients as satisfactory with mainly gastro-intestinal disorders considered to be related to the treatment in 7.6% of patients. No serious adverse event related to the study drug was reported.

CONCLUSION

The efficacy of telithromycin 800 mg once daily for 5 days is confirmed in the treatment of AMS, even for those due to S. Pneumoniae.