Effects of different antibiotics in the treatment of acute rhinosinusitis

Abstract

Introduction: Sinusitis is an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses and it can be infectious, allergic or autoimmune. Acute rhinosinusitis commonly has viral origin and occurs as part of the upper respiratory tract infections. The most common pathogens are Streptococcus, Pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae. Some inflammations may start as viral, but develop into bacterial superinfection, i.e., subsequent colonization of the bacteria in 0.5-2% of cases. Viral sinusitis lasts for 7-10 days, whereas bacterial may take longer. The aim: The aim of this study was to compare three therapeutic protocols for the treatment of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. Materials and Methods: A prospective clinical study was conducted at the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic, Clinical Center Nis from October 2019 to January 2020, and it involved patients with acute bacterial rhinosinusitis in whom we compared the efficiency and safety of levofloxacin administration for five and 10 days with the efficiency of amoxicillin clavulanate treatment. The study included 62 patients with documented clinical and radiological symptoms. Results: Confirmation of bacterial etiology is not routinely performed in clinical practice since it requires antral puncture or endoscopic examination of the middle nasal meatus. Consequently, the choice of antibiotic therapy is empiric. In our study, we used levofloxacin for five (500 mg once a day) and 10 days (500 mg once a day) and amoxicillin-clavulanatefor 10 days (500 mg-125 mg three times a day), and the results showed no statistically significant difference in regard to the choice of antibiotics and the duration of therapy. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that a short course of antibiotic treatment has similar efficiency compared to a longer course of treatment of patients with uncomplicated acute bacterial sinusitis when treatment is indicated.

Keywords

• acute rhinosinusitis
• antibiotics
• therapy