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Abstract & Commentary
Cephalexin vs. Clindamycin for Pediatric Skin Infections -- Perhaps Drainage Is All That's Needed
By Dean L. Winslow, MD, FACP, FIDSA , Chief, Division of AIDS Medicine, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center; Clinical Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine, is Associate Editor for Infectious Disease Alert .
Dr. Winslow is a speaker for Cubist Pharmaceuticals and GSK, and is a consultant for Siemens Diagnostics.
Synopsis: Two hundred patients from 6 months to 18 years of age with uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) were randomly assigned to cephalexin (Keflex) vs. clindamycin. Spontaneous drainage or a drainage procedure was performed in 97% of patients. By 48-72 hours, 94% of patients in the cephalexin arm and 97% of patients in the clindamycin arm were improved. By day 7 all patients...