Severe infections treated with intravenous ofloxacin: a prospective clinical multicentre Swiss study.

In this open prospective clinical trial of iv ofloxacin, 87 patients were treated for severe bacterial infections. Overall results showed a clinical cure rate of 75% and 79/87 87 patients improved. 86% of causative organisms (all sensitive to ofloxacin) were eliminated. The best results were obtained in urinary tract infections where all 30 patients were clinically cured and 27 organisms (Escherichia coli, group D streptococcus, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae) were eliminated. Rapid clinical cure was observed in five patients with prostatitis. Good results were seen in arthritis and osteomyelitis. Less than three days of parenteral therapy were required before improvement was seen in patients presenting with severe enterocolitis. Ofloxacin treatment was used for the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections in 35 patients. Clinical improvement was noted in 28 patients. Five patients had unsatisfactory responses, mainly due to underlying diseases. There were two failures, both in pneumococcal pneumonia. Three minor side effects were recorded. Ofloxacin can be given for severe bacterial infections due to Enterobacteriaceae, other Gram-negative rods and other sensitive organisms. It can be given in penicillin allergic patients but it should not be used in pneumococcal pneumonia.