PENICILLIN G is generally regarded as the antibiotic of choice in the treatment of acute otitis media in children,1-3 chiefly because of its effectiveness against the gram-positive organisms usually responsible. However, since some children are allergic to penicillin,4 it is essential that alternative antibiotics are available which are equally effective. This paper reports on a study comparing lincomycin (Lincocin) hydrochloride with penicillin in 107 children with acute otitis media. In addition to routine otoscopic examination and temperature recordings, serial audiometry was employed to determinne initial severity and the degree of response.
Lincomycin, while a relatively new antibiotic, has been used successfully against many infections caused by gram-positive organisms. It has also been employed in the treatment of otitis media,5-7 although to our knowledge no double-blind studies with penicillin have been undertaken. Meaningful comparisons between these two antibiotics thus far have not been made in this condition.
Materials