Study of the duration of antimicrobial chemotherapy in mycoplasmal pneumonia]

We assessed the period of administration of antibiotics required for cases of mycoplasmal pneumonia. The subjects were 38 patients with mycoplasmal pneumonia admitted to our hospital. These patients were treated with 100 mg minocycline or 500 mg erythromycin by intravenous infusion twice a day. They were divided into a 6 day-administration group (Group A; 16 cases) and a 9 day-administration group (Group B; 17 cases). Administration was discontinued on the 4th day or earlier in 5 cases due to side effects. A comparative assessment was made between Groups A and B with respect to body temperature, WBC, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CRP, and chest X-ray on the 3rd, 6th, and 9th days of treatment, but no significant difference was observed. Residual shadows at the end of treatment were present in 100% of Group A and in 47% of Group B, but they disappeared gradually in both groups. No cases of recurrence were observed in either Group A or B within 1 month after the completion of treatment. Regarding the treatment period for mycoplasmal pneumonia by intravenous infusion of minocycline or erythromycin, no significant clinical difference was observed between the 6 day-administration group and the 9 day-administration group, suggesting that 6 days of administration is sufficient for treatment.