Intravenous ciprofloxacin for infections in cancer patients
Article Abstract:
The effectiveness of the quinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin given intravenously, or directly into the circulation, for the treatment of fever was examined in 147 cancer patients. Thirty patients had neutropenia, an abnormally low number of a type of white blood cell, the neutrophil. Ciprofloxacin was effective in 78 percent of patients, specifically 73 percent of neutropenic patients and 79 percent of cancer patients with normal neutrophil numbers. Ciprofloxacin improved symptoms in 19 of 25 patients with bacteremia, or bacterial infection of the blood, 29 of 44 patients with pneumonia, 16 of 18 patients with skin and soft-tissue infections, all nine patients with respiratory tract infections, 10 of 11 patients with upper respiratory tract infections, and 26 of 34 patients with fevers of unknown cause. Ciprofloxacin was effective in 94 percent of infections caused by gram-negative type bacteria, 75 percent of gram-positive infections, and 82 percent of infections caused by more than one microorganism. There was no evidence of resistance of bacteria to ciprofloxacin or of superinfections (a new infection caused by microorganisms different from the one that caused the initial infection). The antibiotic caused only minor side effects with the exception of a seizure in one patient. The results demonstrate that ciprofloxacin given intravenously is both safe and effective in the treatment of infections in cancer patients. (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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Ciprofloxacin in patients with bacteremic infections
Article Abstract:
The safety and effectiveness of the quinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin was examined in the treatment of 68 cases of bacteremia, or bacterial infection of the blood. Sixty-four of 68 cases were due to infection with one type bacteria, whereas the remaining four were due to infection with several types of bacteria. The infective bacteria were Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter, Salmonella, Enterobacter, Proteus, Serratia, Hemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella, Staphylococci, and Morganella morganii. Ciprofloxacin was effective in 64 of 68 patients, but had no effect in four patients who were infected with Acinetobacter, P. aeruginosa, Enterobacter and Serratia. The antibiotic caused side effects, including phlebitis or inflammation of a vein associated with injection, dizziness, and superinfection (a new infection caused by a microorganism different from the one that caused the initial infection). The microorganism responsible for the superinfection is usually resistant to the treatment used for the initial infection. Cases of superinfection included wound infections, urinary tract infections, and bacteremia caused by various microorganisms, including bacteria resistant or insensitive to ciprofloxacin antibacterial action. The results demonstrate that ciprofloxacin given intravenously, orally or by both routes is effective in the treatment of severe bacteremia. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0002-9343
Year: 1989
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic: