Quinolone resistance: susceptibility data from a 300-bed community hospital
Article Abstract:
The effect of unrestricted prescribing of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics on the development of bacterial resistance (the loss of sensitivity of a bacteria to an antibiotic agent) was examined in a 300-bed community teaching hospital. Out of 1,454 clinical isolates, which are bacteria isolated from infected patients, nine isolates were resistant to the fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin in an initial study between 1984 and 1985. A similar pattern was observed immediately before the release of the drug, with five of 940 isolates becoming resistant. As ciprofloxacin use increased, bacterial resistance rose to a peak of four percent at the end of 1988. Of 63 ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates, 22 were Pseudomonas-type bacteria and 28 were of the staphylococci type. Another type, Enterobacteriaceae remained sensitive to ciprofloxacin. Most of the resistant bacteria were from patients who had taken the drug within the previous month. Fifty percent of the ciprofloxacin-resistant bacteria were from soft-tissue infections such as osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bone), and 26 percent of the resistant bacteria were from urinary tract infections that were contracted after instrumentation of the urinary tract. The results indicate that bacterial resistance to the fluoroquinolone antibiotics could be increased with widespread use of these drugs for the treatment of long-term infections. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0002-9343
Year: 1989
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Drug interactions with fluoroquinolones
Article Abstract:
A new group of antibiotics is the fluoroquinolones, which are effective against a wide range of bacteria. The combined use of these antibiotics and other drugs has been studied, and two adverse drug interactions have been reported. Fluoroquinolones can not be taken at the same time as multivalent metal cations, such as aluminum, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc. However, interactions can be avoided by staggering the time that the two types of drugs are taken. Fluoroquinolones have also be shown to inhibit the metabolism of methylxanthines, such as theophylline, a bronchodilator, and caffeine. However, newer fluoroquinolones, such as ofloxacin and temafloxacin do not inhibit the methylxanthines. The newer fluoroquinolones should be used instead of the older fluoroquinolones: ciprofloxacin, enoxacin and norfloxacin. Studies have suggested possible interactions with other drugs such as cyclosporine, warfarin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Further study is necessary before the clinical significance of these interactions can be established. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0002-9343
Year: 1991
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Comparative penetration of selected fluoroquinolones into respiratory tract fluids and tissues
Article Abstract:
The concentrations of antibiotics in various areas in the lungs can be determined with endoscopic techniques. The endoscope is a long flexible instrument with a fiberoptic device that can be inserted into the body through natural openings. Samples of cells and fluid can thus be obtained for analysis. A study was conducted testing the levels of fluoroquinolones, a new group of antibiotics, in various sites in the lungs, including the bronchial mucosa (mucous membrane), the fluid surrounding the bronchial epithelial lining (outer lining) and macrophages of the lungs. The bronchial mucosa is the main site of bacterial infection. The fluoroquinolones were shown to be in adequate levels in the various sites in the lung tissue for the killing of bacteria, including many of the bacteria that cause respiratory diseases, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae. The findings suggest that the fluoroquinolones would be effective against bacteria that cause respiratory infections. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0002-9343
Year: 1991
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