RESUMO
The empiric antibiotic therapy for acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is indicated only in patients with underlying diseases or risk for bacteremia. The clinical characteristics, clinical efficiency of antibiotic therapy with pivmecillinam (52 patients) or ciprofloxacin (75 patients) and its effects on the fecal carrier state of Salmonella spp. were studied in 127 adult patients with AGE and antibiotic therapy indication. The initial stool culture was positive in 90 patients (71%). The microorganism recovered most frequently was Salmonella spp., with a bacteremia rate in these patients of 5%. The susceptibility of Salmonella spp. to ciprofloxacin and mecillinam was 100% and 90%, respectively. Therapy with ciprofloxacin or pivmecillinam showed a similar efficiency. Fecal excretion lasted no longer than five weeks and no chronic carriers were observed.