Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
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Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Role of benzathine penicillin G in prophylaxis for recurrent streptococcal cellulitis of the lower legs.
Cellulitis of the lower leg is an infection caused by streptococci or, less commonly, Staphylococcus aureus and other gram-negative rods. Recurrence of cellulitis is a common problem. In the present study, we evaluated the use of monthly intramuscular injections of benzathine penicillin G to prevent recurrences of cellulitis. ⋯ Predisposing factors for cellulitis were found in 57 (49.6%) of the 115 enrolled cases and were mostly related to the impairment of local circulation. Administration of prophylaxis successfully reduced the recurrence rate to zero among patients without predisposing factors but failed to prevent recurrence in those with predisposing factors (20%). We conclude that monthly benzathine penicillin G prophylaxis benefits only patients without predisposing factors for cellulitis.