Doxycycline versus cephalexin treatment of presumed streptococcal skin and soft tissue infection among adults presenting to the emergency department.

ABSTRACT

Among 100 propensity score-matched emergency department patients receiving ≤14 days doxycycline versus cephalexin monotherapy for outpatient treatment of nonpurulent (presumed streptococcal) skin and soft tissue infection, a low rate of 14-day clinical failure was observed [6% each group; odds ratio (OR), 1.34 (0.21-8.69); P = 0.745], defined as hospital admission, i.v. antibiotic therapy, or change in oral antibiotic. Doxycycline may represent a reasonable therapeutic alternative for this indication in regions with low tetracycline resistance.