The study was conducted in the Rural Health Training Centre,
Ramakrishna Mission, Sakwar Village, Thane District, India. 18 to
55 years with complaints of fever (oral temperature > 98.5oF),
with cough and/ or breathlessness for more than 2 days were
selected. After a detailed clinical history the attending doctor was
asked to make a clinical diagnosis of pneumonia based on
symptoms and signs of bronchial breathing with dull notes on
percussion. After a presumptive diagnosis was made each of these
patients was explained the nature of the study and asked to fill an
informed consent form. Sputum was collected for gram stain.
Blood was withdrawn for Haemoglobin and total blood counts. The
patients were also asked to undergo a chest X‐Ray PA view. The
reports of these tests were usually available within 4 hours.
A definitive diagnosis of pneumonia was based on a clinical
diagnosis along with either a radiological patch on chest X‐Ray or
presence of gram positive or negative bacteria on sputum
microscopy. An elevated neutrophil count was necessary in either
of the case.
Patients who had cough of more than 1 week were asked to report
to the nearby RNTCP centre. Any patients who had symptoms of
confusion, severe breathlessness, pleural effusion, or required
hospitalization for either a co‐morbidity or due to his respiratory
condition was immediately referred to the nearby tertiary level
hospital.
The patients who fit into the inclusion criteria were randomized
and were given, either a macrolide [Clarithromycin (500 mg PO
BD) or Azithromycin (500 mg PO once, then 250 mg OD)] or a
respiratory fluoroquinolone [levofloxacin (750 mg PO OD)] or a β‐
lactam [high‐dose amoxicillin (1 g TID)]. The patients were asked
to take the first dose in the OPD itself and were asked to report on
the third and the fifth day. A clinical check up was done during the
subsequent visits.
Any patient who during the course of his prescribed treatment
worsened in condition was referred to the nearby tertiary level
hospital. Compliance was checked by the return tablet count
The study was conducted in the Rural Health Training Centre, Ramakrishna Mission, Sakwar Village, Thane District, India. 18 to 55 years with complaints of fever (oral temperature > 98.5oF), with cough and/ or breathlessness for more than 2 days were selected. After a detailed clinical history the attending doctor was asked to make a clinical diagnosis of pneumonia based on symptoms and signs of bronchial breathing with dull notes on percussion. After a presumptive diagnosis was made each of these patients was explained the nature of the study and asked to fill an informed consent form. Sputum was collected for gram stain. Blood was withdrawn for Haemoglobin and total blood counts. Thepatients were also asked to undergo a chest X‐Ray PA view. The reports of these tests were usually available within 4 hours. A definitive diagnosis of pneumonia was based on a clinical diagnosis along with either a radiological patch on chest X‐Ray or presence of gram positive or negative bacteria on sputum microscopy. An elevated neutrophil count was necessary in either of the case. Patients who had cough of more than 1 week were asked to reportto the nearby RNTCP centre. Any patients who had symptoms of confusion, severe breathlessness, pleural effusion, or requiredhospitalization for either a co‐morbidity or due to his respiratory condition was immediately referred to the nearby tertiary levelhospital. The patients who fit into the inclusion criteria were randomized and were given, either a macrolide [Clarithromycin (500 mg PO BD) or Azithromycin (500 mg PO once, then 250 mg OD)] or a respiratory fluoroquinolone [levofloxacin (750 mg PO OD)] or a β‐ lactam [high‐dose amoxicillin (1 g TID)]. The patients were asked to take the first dose in the OPD itself and were asked to report on the third and the fifth day. A clinical check up was done during the subsequent visits. Any patient who during the course of his prescribed treatment worsened in condition was referred to the nearby tertiary levelhospital. Compliance was checked by the return tablet count
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