In vitro activity of sparfloxacin and other antimicrobial agents against genital pathogens.

The in vitro activity of sparfloxacin was determined for 60 strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, 15 strains of Chlamydia trachomatis and 40 strains each of Gardnerella vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis, and Ureaplasma urealyticum and compared with those of ampicillin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, ofloxacin, temafloxacin and tetracycline. Sparfloxacin was active against all the strains studied and appeared to be the most potent quinolone tested. Sparfloxacin had the lowest MICs against N. gonorrhoeae (MICs 0.002-0.06 micrograms/ml). Its MICs against C. trachomatis (0.03-0.06 micrograms/ml) were higher than those of clarithromycin but lower than those of the other antimicrobial agents. Sparfloxacin was particularly active against tetracycline-susceptible as well as resistant strains of M. hominis (MICs, 0.06 micrograms/ml) and U. urealyticum (MICs 0.125-1 micrograms/ml). Because of this in vitro activity and its tissue distribution, sparfloxacin might be a valuable therapeutic agent for treating major bacterial sexually transmitted diseases.