Comparative pharmacokinetic disposition of fluoroquinolones in the lung.

The problems associated with the study of the penetration of quinolones into the respiratory tract are discussed. New techniques allow the study of the penetration of these agents into bronchial mucosa, alveolar macrophages and epithelial lining fluid. In general quinolones are concentrated in bronchial mucosa approximately 1.5 times compared with serum. In alveolar macrophages, the agents are concentrated 14- to 18-fold compared with serum and the ratio of alveolar macrophage levels to those in epithelial lining fluid are 7.7 to 5.7:1. The concentrations of temafloxacin and ciprofloxacin in these sites suggests that these agents will be efficacious in the therapy of respiratory infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.