Abstract:
<h4>Background: </h4> Impetigo is a common and contagious bacterial skin infection, affecting children worldwide but it is particularly prevalent in deprived communities. In New Zealand widespread prescribing of the topical antibiotic fusidic acid had led to an increase in antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus . Alternative treatments are urgently being sought and as impetigo is a superficial infection, it has been suggested that topical antiseptics such as hydrogen peroxide or simple wound care alone may treat impetigo while avoiding the risk of increased antimicrobial resistance.MethodsThis protocol for a non-inferiority, single-blind randomised controlled trial compares topical fusidic acid with topical hydrogen peroxide and with simple wound care in the treatment of childhood impetigo. Participants are randomised to one of the three treatments for five days and the primary outcome is clinical improvement. This is assessed through paired photographs analysed by graders blinded to treatment arm. The trial is based in school health clinics in an urban centre in New Zealand. Comparison of antimicrobial resistance patterns pre- and post-treatment is also performed.DiscussionSpecial note is made of the need to involve the communities most affected by impetigo in the design and implementation of the clinical trial in order to recruit the children most in need of safe and effective treatments. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) 12616000356460