In vitro activity of ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and trovafloxacin, alone and in combination with beta-lactams, against clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Burkholderia cepacia.

We tested three fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and trovafloxacin), each combined with each of four beta-lactams (cefoperazone, ceftriaxone, imipenem, and meropenem) for synergy against clinical isolates of nosocomial strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Burkholderia cepacia. The ciprofloxacin-beta-lactam combinations showed synergy against none or only a small fraction (7 to 10%) of the P. aeruginosa and B. cepacia isolates. Ciprofloxacin-cefoperazone, -ceftriaxone, and -meropenem were synergic against 50%, 25%, and 30% of the S. maltophilia isolates, respectively. Among the levofloxacin combinations, only those with cefoperazone and imipenem showed significant synergy, and this only against B. cepacia (50% and 30%, respectively). Trovafloxacin-cefoperazone and -imipenem showed modest synergy against P. aeruginosa (23% and 27%, respectively), as did trovafloxacin-cefoperazone and -ceftriaxone against B. cepacia (30%). The trovafloxacin-imipenem combination was synergic against all isolates of B. cepacia. Because of their synergy, the following combinations may be useful in the nosocomial setting: trovafloxacin-cefoperazone or -imipenem against P. aeruginosa; ciprofloxacin-cefoperazone, -ceftriaxone, or -meropenem against S. maltophilia; levofloxacin-cefoperazone and trovafloxacin-imipenem against B. cepacia.