Use of quinolones for the treatment of patients with bacteremia.

Quinolones have been shown in vitro to be highly active against Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and moderately active against some of the gram-positive cocci. Quinolones have been administered both orally and intravenously to treat patients with bacteremia due in large part to Enterobacteriaceae. The largest experience so far has been in the treatment of Salmonella bacteremia followed by bacteremia caused by Escherichia coli. Quinolones have been shown to be active and well tolerated in the treatment of patients with serious and bacteremic infections and a variety of underlying conditions. However, the clinical experience thus far is limited.