Antipneumococcal activity of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and temafloxacin in an experimental mouse pneumonia model at various stages of the disease
Article Abstract:
Pneumococcal pneumonia is the most widespread form of pneumonia and is more common than pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma, Hemophilus influenzae or Legionella. Pneumococcal pneumonia is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae). This form of Streptococcus has become resistant to the antibiotic penicillin G. Another group of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones is effective in killing penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae. In addition, this group of antibiotics penetrates well in lung tissue. The effectiveness of a new fluoroquinolone antibiotic, called temafloxacin, in treating S. pneumoniae infections was assessed in a mouse model of pneumonia. Mice were treated with one of four different fluoroquinolone antibiotics, at doses of 50 or 100 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, and at different intervals following inoculation with S. pneumoniae. The antibiotics were administered subcutaneously (under the skin) every 12 hours over a 3-day period to groups of 14 to 17 mice, and the survival rates of the mice were determined over the next 15 days. The antibiotic treatment was most effective when administered within three days of inoculation with S. pneumoniae. Treatment with temafloxacin at a dose of 50 milligrams per kilogram resulted in survival rates of 100 percent, 92 percent, 81 percent, and 50 percent for drug treatment started 18, 48, 72, and 96 hours, respectively, after inoculation with S. pneumoniae. The activity of temafloxacin at a 50 milligram per kilogram dose was similar to that of the antibiotics erythromycin and amoxicillin, which were used as a basis of comparison. Ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin at 100 milligrams per kilogram were less effective, producing survival rates of 67 percent and 50 percent, respectively, when administered 18 hours after inoculation with S. pneumoniae. The results demonstrate that temafloxacin is effective in treating pneumonia in an animal model of S. pneumoniae infection. Clinical trials are needed to test the effectiveness of temafloxacin in humans with pneumococcal pneumonia. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Infectious Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0022-1899
Year: 1991
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Oral aminoglycoside and ofloxacin therapy in the prevention of Gram-negative sepsis after irradiation
Article Abstract:
Ionizing radiation is used to treat patients with cancer. Radiation therapy, however, kills not only cancer cells, but the naturally occurring bacteria in the stomach and intestines that play protective roles against infection by preventing other bacteria from growing. Therefore, patients treated with radiation therapy have an increased risk of developing serious infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia are Gram-negative bacteria that are a common cause of sepsis (the presence of pus-forming bacteria in the blood) in patients undergoing radiation therapy. Antibiotics such as polymyxin, bacitracin and aminoglycosides have been used to reduce the incidence of bacterial infections in patients with neutropenia (low white blood cell count). Therefore, a study was performed to determine if antibiotic drugs could prevent sepsis following radiation therapy. The study was performed in mice that had been infected with Gram-negative bacteria and then exposed to radiation. The mice were treated with oral ofloxacin, oral gentamicin or intramuscular gentamicin at different times after infection. When treatment with either antibiotic was begun within 10 to 24 hours of infection, the growth of Gram-negative bacteria was reduced and survival was improved. It is concluded that treatment with ofloxacin or gentamicin may be useful in reducing Gram-negative bacterial infections following radiation therapy. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Infectious Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0022-1899
Year: 1991
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Anaerobic bacterial bacteremia: 12-year experience in two military hospitals
Article Abstract:
An updated review is presented of cases of anaerobic bacterial bacteremia, with specific reference to isolation and identification techniques, and a discussion of applicable new nomenclature. Isolates were obtained from patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, in Washington, DC and from the Navy Hospital, Bethesda, MD. A total of 567 patients yielded 634 anaerobic organisms; 296 patients had bacteremia (bacterial infection of the blood). The factors predisposing to anaerobic bacteremia included: malignant neoplasms; blood diseases; recent gastrointestinal, obstetric or gynecologic surgery; organ transplant; intestinal obstruction; decubitus ulcers; dental extraction; corticosteroid or cytotoxic agent therapy; splenectomy; diabetes mellitus; and sickle cell disease. Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, Clostridium and Peptostreptococcus species predominated. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Infectious Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0022-1899
Year: 1989
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