Treatment of Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis in Children

Abstract

Two hundred twenty-eight children with group A β-streptococcal pharyngitis, or carrier state, were treated with one of three treatment regimes from September 1969 to March 1970 and followed-up with throat cultures at 5, 14, 31, and 60 days. Treatment groups were benzathine penicillin G given intramuscularly, and penicillin G potassium and lincomycin hydrochloride monohydrate, administered orally. Lincomycin hydrochloride monohydrate given orally in recommended dosages for ten days was found to be as effective as benzathine penicillin G given intramuscularly (cure rates at 31 days, 86.8% and 88.9%, respectively). Both drugs were more effective than penicillin G given orally for ten days (31-day cure rate, 70%). The 60-day cure rates were 84% for lincomycin given orally, 72% for benzathine penicillin G given intramuscularly, and 60% for penicillin G given orally.