Efficacy of empirical Ciprofloxacin or Cefixime plus Metronidazole therapy for the treatment of liver abscess: a randomized control clinical trial
Abstract
Liver abscess is a potentially life-threatening medical emergency. Prompt empirical antimicrobial with or without percutaneous aspiration or drainage is therapeutic. The rational for using empirical intravenous broad-spectrum antimicrobials upfront instead of oral Fluoroquinolone or Cephalosporin is contentious. In this double blind randomized control clinical trial 69 participants received Ciprofloxacin (500 mg q 12 hourly) and 71 participants received Cefixime (200 mg q 12 hourly) orally for 2 weeks. Both the group received oral Metronidazole (800 mg q 8 hourly) for 2 weeks and percutaneous drainage or aspiration of the abscess was done as per indication and followed-up for 8 weeks. Out of 140 participants, 89.3% (N = 125) achieved clinical cure, 59 (85.5%) in Ciprofloxacin group and 66 (93%) in Cefixime group (p = 0.154). Mean duration of antimicrobial therapy was 16.2 ± 4.3 days, 15.1 ± 4.5 days in Ciprofloxacin group and 16.0 ± 4.2 days in Cefixime group (p = 0.223). Total 15 (10.7%) participants had treatment failure, 10 (14.5%) in Ciprofloxacin group and 5 (7.0%) in Cefixime group (p = 0.154). The most common reason for treatment failure was need of prolong (> 4 weeks) antimicrobial therapy due to persistent hepatic collection requiring drainage, which was significantly (p = 0.036) higher in Ciprofloxacin (14.5%, N = 10) group, compared to the Cefixime (4.2%, N = 3) group. In conclusion, both, the Ciprofloxacin or Cefixime plus Metronidazole for duration of 2-3 weeks…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 140 participants or records.
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