Do Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns Matter?

An international panel of pediatric dermatologists, dermatologists, pediatricians, and pediatric infectious disease specialists used a modified Delphi technique to develop an impetigo treatment algorithm, according to a study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (JDD).¹

Impetigo is a contagious bacterial skin infection. With the concern of antimicrobial resistance rising, the researchers came together to address the treatment of impetigo in pediatric and adult populations. 

The algorithm included:

• Education and prevention of impetigo
• Diagnosis and classification
• Treatment measures
• Follow-up and distinguishing factors (widespread vs localized outbreak of disease)

The panel defined localized impetigo as impetigo with fewer than 10 lesions and smaller than 36 cm² area affected in patients of 2 months and older with no compromised immune status. 

The study noted that resistance to oral and topical antibiotics prescribed for the treatment of impetigo such as mupirocin, retapamulin (Altabax; GlaxoSmithKline), and fusidic acid, have been widely reported.

“When prescribing antibiotics, it is essential to know the local trends in antibiotic resistance,” the authors concluded. “Ozenoxacin cream 1% is highly effective against Streptococcus pyogenes (S pyogenes) and Staphylococcus aureus (S aureus), including methycyllin-susceptible and resistant strains (MRSA), and may be a suitable option for localized impetigo.”

Reference:

1. Schachner LA, Andriessen A, Benjamin LT, et al. Do antimicrobial resistance patterns matter? An algorithm for the treatment of patients with impetigo. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(2):134-142. doi:10.36849/JDD.5745