Susceptibility of bacterial isolates to gatifloxacin and ciprofloxacin from clinical trials 1997-1998

MICs of gatifloxacin and ciprofloxacin against 3482 pre-treatment, clinical trial isolates collected during 1997–1998 are reported. These data suggested that gatifloxacin was four- to eight-fold more active than ciprofloxacin against Gram-positive bacteria, with gatifloxacin MIC₉₀s≤0.33 mg/l against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae, and ≤1.0 mg/l versus viridans streptococci and Enterococcus faecalis. Both quinolones had similar MIC₉₀s versus Enterobacteriaceae (generally ≤0.38 mg/l, except 0.7–0.8 mg/l for Citrobacter freundii) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8 mg/l). A total of 78% P. aeruginosa had gatifloxacin MICs ≤2 mg/l. Gatifloxacin was more active than ciprofloxacin against Acinetobacter species and non-P. aeruginosa pseudomonads. Both had exceptional activity versus Haemophilus spp, Moraxella catarrhalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In summary, compared to ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin had improved activity against Gram-positive bacteria and comparable activity against Gram-negative bacteria.     

Comparative activities of six different fluoroquinolones against 9,682 clinical bacterial isolates from 20 European university hospitals participating in the European SENTRY surveillance programme

The in-vitro activities of gatifloxacin, trovafloxacin, levofloxacin, sparfloxacin, ofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin were tested against 9,682 clinical bacterial isolates from 20 European university hospitals participating in the European SENTRY surveillance programme. Gatifloxacin and trovafloxacin exhibited the highest activities against Gram-positive cocci, while levofloxacin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and gatifloxacin were the most active against Enterobacteriaceae. Ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin showed the highest antimicrobial activities against Pseudomonas spp., while gatifloxacin and trovafloxacin were the most active against Acinetobacter spp. and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. All Haemophilus spp. and Moraxella catarrhalis isolates were fully susceptible to all quinolones tested. Overall, the new quinolones, showed improved activity against Gram-positive cocci and Gram-negative non-fermenters while retaining their broad-spectrum activity against Gram-negative bacilli.     

In vitro activity of gatifloxacin compared with gemifloxacin, moxifloxacin, trovafloxacin, ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin against uropathogens cultured from patients with complicated urinary tract infections

Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of gatifloxacin were compared with those of gemifloxacin, moxifloxacin, trovafloxacin, ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin using an agar dilution method for 400 uropathogens cultured from the urine of urological patients with complicated and/or hospital-acquired urinary tract infections (UTI). The collection of strains was made up of Enterobacteriaceae (34.5%), enterococci (31.5%), staphylococci (21.2%) and non-fermenting bacteria (12.8%). The antibacterial activity of the three newer fluoroquinolones, gatifloxacin, gemifloxacin, and moxifloxacin, were similar, but showed some drug specific differences. Gemifloxacin was most active against Escherichia coli, but less so against Proteus mirabilis. In this series all isolates of E. coli were inhibited at a MIC of 0.25 mg/l gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin and by 0.125 mg/l gemifloxacin. The MIC distribution of all fluoroquinolones showed a bimodal distribution for staphylococci, enterococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The two modes for P. aeruginosa were 1 and 64 mg/l for gemifloxacin and moxifloxacin and 0.5 and 64 mg/l for gatifloxacin. For staphylococci the two modes were 0.125 and 2 mg/l for gatifloxacin, 0.03 and 4 mg/l for gemifloxacin, and 0.03 and 2 mg/l for moxifloxacin; for enterococci, 0.25 and 16 mg/l for gatifloxacin, 0.06 and 2 mg/l for gemifloxacin, and 0.25 and 8 mg/l for moxifloxacin. Compared with trovafloxacin the MICs were similar, but the newer fluoroquinolones were more active than ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin against Gram-positive bacteria. Of the newer fluoroquinolones gatifloxacin had the highest rate of renal excretion and could be considered a promising alternative fluoroquinolone agent for the treatment of UTI.     

Antibacterial activity of gatifloxacin against various fresh clinical isolates in 2002

Antibacterial activities of gatifloxacin (GFLX) and other antibacterial drugs against various fresh clinical strains (800 isolates) isolated from specimens of patients in 2002 were compared. GFLX was more active than levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin against Gram-positive bacteria such as methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. For these isolates, clarithromycin and azithromycin were less active (MIC90; > 16- > 64 micrograms/mL), GFLX was more active than cefdinir. For Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter species, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis, three quinolones including GFLX were potently active (MIC90; < or = 0.06-0.5 microgram/mL). Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from urinary tract infections were resistant to three quinolones including GFLX (MIC90; 32-64 micrograms/mL), however P. aeruginosa isolated from respiratory and otolaryngological infections were more susceptible (MIC90; 0.5-2 micrograms/mL). Quinolones were less active against Neisseria gonorrhoeae as compared with the cephem antibiotics tested, but GFLX was the most active against N. gonorrhoeae among the quinolones tested. In this study, we investigated activity of GFLX against fresh clinical strains isolated early in 2002, GFLX is widely and potently active against S. aureus, S. pneumoniae and various Gram-negative bacteria.     

Multicentre study of the in vitro evaluation of moxifloxacin and other quinolones against community acquired respiratory pathogens.

The in vitro activity of moxifloxacin was compared with that of ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin and trovafloxacin against 710 strains (180 Streptococcus pneumoniae, 180 Haemophilus influenzae, 160 Moraxella catarrhalis and 190 Streptococcus pyogenes) isolated from patients with community-acquired respiratory tract infections. MIC values for moxifloxacin, trovafloxacin were 0.25/0.25, 0.03/0.03, 0.06/0.03 and 0.125/0.0125 mg/l for S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, M. catharralis and S. pyogenes. Based upon the MIC(90) values and the MIC distributions, moxifloxacin and trovafloxacin were the most active of the quinolones tested. They showed enhanced activity against Gram-positive organisms including penicillin non susceptible S. pneumoniae strains. Moxifloxacin was also highly active against ciprofloxacin-resistant S. pneumoniae strains.     

加替沙星对金黄色葡萄球菌的体外抗菌活性

考察加替沙星对金黄色葡萄球菌的体外抗菌活性以及抗MRSA的能力。采用药敏纸片法（K－B法），从129株临床分离的金黄色葡萄球菌筛选对甲氧西林和氟喹诺酮类药物的耐药菌株，用琼脂二倍稀释法对交叉耐药菌进行MIC测试，比较了加替沙星与环丙沙星等第二代氟喹诺酮类药物的耐药菌株，用琼脂二倍稀释法对交叉耐药菌进行MIC测试，比较了加替沙星与环丙沙星等第二代氟喹诺酮类药物的抗菌活性。用苯唑西林筛选三代自发突变株，比较环丙沙星、加替沙星对MRSA的抗菌活性。实验表明，苯唑西林、环丙沙星、氧氟沙星、左氧氟沙星对129株金黄色葡萄球菌的耐药率相似。体外活性表明，加替沙星比环丙沙星等第二代氟喹诺酮类药物的抗菌活性强，抗MRSA菌株的活性较强；敏感金黄色葡萄球菌发生加替沙星耐药的突变频率在所试药物中也是最低的。说明加替沙星比环丙沙星等第二代氟喹诺酮类药物的抗菌活性得到明显提高。     

In vitro susceptibility of 4903 bacterial isolates to gemifloxacin--an advanced fluoroquinolone

The in vitro activity of gemifloxacin against over 4900 bacterial isolates was determined by microbroth dilution with interpretation in accordance with NCCLS guidelines. Susceptibility results were compared with those for ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin, levofloxacin and moxifloxacin. Gemifloxacin and the other fluoroquinolones were not affected by either beta-lactamase production or penicillin-resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae. The MIC90 values for gemifloxacin were: S. pneumoniae 0.063 mg/l; Haemophilus influenzae 0.016 mg/l; Moraxella catarrhalis 0.008 mg/l, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus 0.063 mg/l; methicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pyogenes 0.031 mg/l; Enterobacteriaceae 0.031-0.16 mg/l; Pseudomonas aeruginosa 4 mg/l; Neisseria meningitidis 0.008 mg/l. The MIC90 for gemifloxacin was lower than those for the other quinolones tested against S. pneumoniae (ciprofloxacin 2-4 mg/l, gatifloxacin 0.5 mg/l, levofloxacin 1-2 mg/l, moxifloxacin 0.25 mg/l). This study confirms the enhanced potent activity of gemifloxacin against Gram-positive pathogens, its broad-spectrum, Gram-negative activity and indicates that gemifloxacin is likely to have an important role in treating patients with Gram-positive and/or Gram-negative infections.     

Comparison of minimal inhibitory and mutant prevention drug concentrations of 4 fluoroquinolones against clinical isolates of methicillin-susceptible and -resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus remains an important human pathogen affecting both outpatients and those hospitalized. Increasing antimicrobial resistance is global but prevalence rates are variable for different geographical areas. Fluoroquinolones have been used to treat S. aureus infections and the newer quinolones have enhanced in vitro activity against this organism. The mutant prevention concentration (MPC) defines the antimicrobial drug concentration threshold that would require an organism to simultaneously possess two mutations for growth in the presence of the drug. We tested clinical isolates of methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant (MRSA) S. aureus by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and MPC against gatifloxacin, gemifloxacin, levofloxacin and moxifloxacin. For MSSA strains, the rank order of potency based on MIC(90) values were gemifloxacin (0.063 mg/l) = moxifloxacin (0.063 mg/l) > gatifloxacin (0.05 mg/l) = levofloxacin (0.25 mg/l) and by MPC values moxifloxacin (0.25 mg/l) > gemifloxacin (0.5 mg/l) > gatifloxacin (1 mg/l) = levofloxacin (1mg/l). For 87% of the isolates the MPC value was 0.5 mg/l for gatifloxacin. The rank order of potency based on the time the serum drug concentration exceeded the MPC(90), was as follows: moxifloxacin (>24 h) > levofloxacin (>18 h) > gatifloxacin (12 h) > gemifloxacin (9 h). Serum drug concentration remained in excess of the MPC(87) for 24 h for gatifloxacin. Both MIC(90) and MPC(90) values were higher against MRSA strains and the time above the MPC(90) was significantly shorter for all agents.     

Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (1997). I. Susceptibility distribution

The frequencies of isolation and susceptibilities to antimicrobial agents were investigated on 560 bacterial strains isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 9 hospitals during the period of June 1997 to May 1998. Of the above bacterial isolates, Gram-positive bacteria accounted for 29.3% and a majority of them were Enterococcus faecalis. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 70.7% and most of them were Escherichia coli. Susceptibilities of several isolated bacteria to antimicrobial agents were as followed; 1. Enterococcus faecalis Ampicillin (ABPC) showed the highest activity against E. faecalis isolated from patients with UTIs. Its MIC90 was 1 microgram/ml. Imipenem (IPM) and vancomycin (VCM) were also active with the MIC90s of 2 micrograms/ml. The others had low activities with the MIC90s of 16 micrograms/ml or above. 2. Staphylococcus aureus including MRSA VCM and arbekacin (ABK) showed the highest activities against both S. aureus and MRSA isolated from patients with UTIs. The MIC90s of them were 1 microgram/ml. The others except minocycline (MINO) had low activities with the MIC90s of 32 micrograms/ml or above. More than a half of S. aureus strains (including MRSA) showed high susceptibilities to gentamicin (GM) and MINO, the MIC50s of 0.25 microgram/ml or 0.5 microgram/ml. 3. Enterobacter cloacae IPM showed the highest activity against E. cloacae. The MICs for all strains were equal to or lower than 1 microgram/ml. The MIC90s of ciprofloxacin (CPFX) and tosufloxacin (TFLX) were 1 microgram/ml, the MIC90s of amikacin (AMK) and ofloxacin (OFLX) were 4 micrograms/ml, the MIC90 of GM was 16 micrograms/ml. Among E. cloacae strains, those with low susceptibilities to quinolones have decreased in 1997, compared with those in 1996. But the other drugs were not so active in 1997 as 1996. 4. Escherichia coli All drugs except penicillins were active against E. coli with the MIC90s of 8 micrograms/ml or below. Particularly, flomoxef (FMOX), cefmenoxime (CMX), cefpirome (CPR), cefozopran (CZOP), IPM, CPFX and TFLX showed the highest activities against E. coli with the MIC90s of 0.125 microgram/ml or below. 5. Klebsiella pneumoniae K. pneumoniae was susceptible to almost all the drugs except penicillins. Carumonam (CRMN) had the strongest activity with the MICs for all strains equal to or lower than 0.125 microgram/ml. FMOX, CPR, CZOP, CPFX and TFLX were also active with the MIC90s of 0.125 microgram/ml or below. The MIC90s of quinolones had changed into a better state in 1997, compared with those in 1996. 6. Proteus mirabilis Almost all the drugs except ABPC and MINO showed high activities against P. mirabilis. CMX, ceftazidime (CAZ), latamoxef (LMOX), CPR, cefixime (CFIX), cefpodoxime (CPDX) and CRMN showed the highest activities against P. mirabilis. The MICs of them for all strains were equal to or lower than 0.125 microgram/ml. CPFX and TFLX were also active with the MIC90s of 0.125 microgram/ml or below. 7. Pseudomonas aeruginosa The MIC90 of GM was 8 micrograms/ml, the MIC90s of AMK, IPM and meropenem (MEPM) were 16 micrograms/ml. The others were not so active against P. aeruginosa with the MIC90s of 32 micrograms/ml or above. The MIC90s of quinolones had changed into a lower state in 1997, compared with those in 1996. 8. Serratia marcescens IPM showed the highest activity against S. marcescens. Its MIC90 was 2 micrograms/ml. GM was also active with the MIC90 of 4 micrograms/ml. The MIC90s of the others were 16 micrograms/ml or above. The MIC50s of CRMN was 0.125 microgram/ml or below, the MIC50s of CPR and CZOP were 0.25 microgram/ml.     

Urinary bactericidal activity, urinary excretion and plasma concentrations of gatifloxacin (400 mg) versus ciprofloxacin (500 mg) in healthy volunteers after a single oral dose

In an open randomised double-crossover study 12 volunteers (six men, six women) received a single oral dose of gatifloxacin (400 mg) or ciprofloxacin (500 mg) to assess urinary bactericidal activity (in eight intervals up to 120 h) and pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters (up to 36 h). Plasma concentrations and urinary excretion were determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection, and urinary bactericidal titers (UBT) by microdilution-method, using antibiotic-free urine of each volunteer. The mean maximum plasma concentration of gatifloxacin was 3.35 mg/l and that of ciprofloxacin 2.12 mg/l. The mean (median) cumulative renal excretion of the parent drug was for gatifloxacin 81 (83)% of the administered dose within 120 h and for ciprofloxacin 43 (45)%. The UBTs, i.e. the highest two-fold dilution (antibiotic-free urine as diluent) of urine still being bactericidal, were determined for an Escherichia coli ATCC reference strain and nine clinical uropathogens with the following MICs (mg/l) for gatifloxacin/ciprofloxacin (microdilution, MHB): E. coli ATCC 25922 (0.008/0.008); E. coli 523 (0.06/0.06); Klebsiella pneumoniae 1058 (0.03/0.016); Proteus mirabilis 524 (0.125/0.016); Pseudomonas aeruginosa 561 (1/0.125); Enterococcus faecalis strains 60 an 55 (0.5/1 and 8/32); Staphylococcus aureus strains 248 and 596 (both 0.03/0.125) and S. saprophyticus Ho94 (0.125/0.25). The median UBTs measured within the first 6h for gatifloxacin were between 1:16 and 1:>or=1024 for the Gram-negative strains including P. aeruginosa and between 1:8 and 1:>or=1024 for the five Gram-positive strains. The median UBTs for ciprofloxacin were between 1:64 and 1:>or=1024 for the Gram-negative strains (incl P. aeruginosa) and between 1:1.5 and 1:768 for the five Gram-positive strains. The UBTs up to 12 < 0.05 h showed no difference (P<0.05 ) for both E. coli strains, but ciprofloxacin was superior to gatifloxacin against Klebsiella, Proteus and Pseudomonas strains and gatifloxacin was superior to ciprofloxacin against all Gram-positive strains. For the UBTs at 12-24 h, gatifloxacin was generally superior to ciprofloxacin, but showed no difference in the Proteus and Pseudomonas strains. The areas under the UBT-time-curve (AUBT) up to 120 h showed statistically significant (P ) differences between both quinolones in favour of gatifloxacin against 8 of 10 strains tested, no difference for P. mirabilis and significantly higher activity of ciprofloxacin against P. aeruginosa. In conclusion, gatifloxacin and ciprofloxacin had overall comparable initial urinary bactericidal activity with some differences for specific pathogens, some times in favour of gatifloxacin (Gram-positives) and some times of ciprofloxacin (usually Gram-negatives), suggesting that for empiric therapy a single oral dose of gatifloxacin (400mg) would be clinically equivalent to ciprofloxacin (500 mg) twice daily-in agreement with the results of a clinical study in complicated UTI performed previously [Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents (2004)].     

Comparative in vitro activity of ciprofloxacin and other unrelated antimicrobials against bacterial respiratory tract pathogens

Ciprofloxacin is a new fluorinated 4-quinolone with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity which includes both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In this study the in vitro activity of ciprofloxacin has been determined against bacteria associated with respiratory tract infections and compared with that of other antimicrobial agents used in the therapy of such infections. Ciprofloxacin (MIC90 0.008 mg/l) was highly active against Haemophilus influenzae, including isolates producing beta-lactamase which were resistant to amoxycillin. Ciprofloxacin (MIC90 0.06 mg/l) was also highly active against Branhamella catarrhalis, again including those isolates resistant to amoxycillin as a result of beta-lactamase production. Isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae were less susceptible to ciprofloxacin (MIC90 2 mg/l) but were highly susceptible to amoxycillin (MIC90 less than 0.12 mg/l) and erythromycin (MIC90 0.25 mg/l). Isolates of Klebsiella aerogenes were highly susceptible to ciprofloxacin (MIC90 0.06 mg/l) but much less so to amoxycillin, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, oxytetracycline and erythromycin. Ciprofloxacin (MIC90 0.5 mg/l) was very active against Staphylococcus aureus, including those isolates resistant to amoxycillin and flucloxacillin, and against Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Together with rifampicin and erythromycin, ciprofloxacin was highly active against Legionella pneumophila (MIC90 0.015 mg/l). These results suggest that clinical evaluation of ciprofloxacin in the treatment of respiratory tract infections is justified.     

In vitro activity of linezolid,synercid and telithromycin against genetically defined high level fluoroquinolone-resistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The in vitro activity of levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, gatifloxacin, erythromycin, telithromycin, linezolid, synercid and vancomycin was measured against 36 genetically defined, gyrA/grlA double mutant MRSA clinical strains with an MIC to ciprofloxacin > or = 8 mg/l. The three newer fluoroquinolones tested were more active than ciprofloxacin. Resistance rates for levofloxacin and gatifloxacin were high (44.5 and 36.1%, respectively). All the strains were moxifloxacin-susceptible, though most of them had MICs close to the break point. All the strains were intermediate or resistant to erythromycin and most were also resistant to telithromycin. No strains were resistant to linezolid, synercid or vancomycin (MIC(90): 2, 1 and 2 mg/l, respectively).     

Comparative in vitro activity of gemifloxacin to other fluoroquinolones and non-quinolone agents against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis in the United States in 1999-2000

This study was undertaken to assess the in vitro activity of gemifloxacin, five other fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agents (ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin and ofloxacin) and other non-quinolone comparator agents (ampicillin, erythromycin, clindamycin, doxycycline, penicillin and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole) against Streptococcus pneumoniae collected in the United States. Susceptibility testing of 550 S. pneumoniae, 290 Haemophilus influenzae and 205 Moraxella catarrhalis showed that 38.2% of pneumococci were penicillin nonsusceptible, while 26.2 and 95.6% of H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis, respectively, produced beta-lactamase. Overall new fluoroquinolones were the most active agents. The in vitro activity (based on MIC90 in mg/l) of the six fluoroquinolones was gemifloxacin>moxifloxacin>gatifloxacin>levofloxacin>ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin.     

Susceptibility in vitro of gram-positive aerobe and anaerobe bacteria to ofloxacin

Ofloxacin is a new fluoroquinolone derivative active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including obligate anaerobes. In this study the in vitro activity of ofloxacin was evaluated against 325 Gram-positive organisms freshly isolated from clinical specimens, in comparison with that of ampicillin, erythromycin, clindamycin and ceftazidime. Susceptibility tests indicated that the MIC90 was 2 mg/l (range 0.25-2) against both methicillin-susceptible (MS) and methicillin-resistant (MR) Staphylococcus aureus. A value of 2 mg/l (range 0.5-4) was also found for all other staphylococci. The MIC of ofloxacin was 8 mg/l for 90% of Streptococcus faecalis (range 1-16), Str. faecium (range 2-8) and members of JK group (range 0.5-16). Propionibacterium acnes strains were all inhibited by 2 mg/l and 90% of Clostridia spp. (range 2-16) by 8 mg/l. Ofloxacin activity compared favourably with that of ampicillin, erythromycin, clindamycin and ceftazidime determined on the same isolates. MBC and time-kill studies indicated that this compound is rapidly bactericidal against enterococci. The great intrinsic activity against MS and MR staphylococci, refractory enterococci and JK bacteria may make ofloxacin a useful adjunct to the therapeutic arsenal.     

六种氟喹诺酮对肠球菌的体外抗菌活性及利血平的影响

目的：研究氟喹诺酮类抗菌药物对临床分离肠球菌的体外抗菌活性,以及多重耐药泵抑制剂利血平对抗菌活性的影响.方法：收集临床分离的101株肠球菌（66株粪肠球菌和35株屎肠球菌）,用琼脂稀释法测定应用利血平前后6种氟喹诺酮对菌株的最低抑菌浓度（MIC）.结果：诺氟沙星、环丙沙星、氧氟沙星、左氧氟沙星、加替沙星、莫西沙星对66株粪肠球菌的MIC90依次为256、64、64、16、16、8 mg/L,对35株屎肠球菌的MIC90依次为＞512、512、128、128、32、32 mg/L.应用利血平之后,上述6种药物对粪肠球菌抗菌活性提高（MIC下降2倍或2倍以上）的株数依次为66（100%）、54（81.8%）、4（6.1%）、4（6.1%）、32（48.5%）和3（4.5%）株,对屎肠球菌抗菌活性提高的株数依次为35（100%）、29（82.9%）、1（2.9%）、0（0%）、6（20.7%）和2（5.7%）株.结论：新氟喹诺酮加替沙星、莫西沙星增强了对肠球菌的抗菌活性,利血平能够提高全部或部分被检测肠球菌对诺氟沙星、环丙沙星和加替沙星的敏感性,但仅使少数被检测肠球菌对氧氟沙星、左氧氟沙星和莫西沙星的敏感性提高.     

In vitro activity of four fluoroquinolones against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The in vitro activity of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin and moxifloxacin against strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was studied. Moxifloxacin and levofloxacin showed the greatest activity having an MIC(90) of 1 mg/l. The MIC(90) for ofloxacin was 2 mg/l and for ciprofloxacin 4 mg/l. Further studies should be made to determine the role played by these compounds in the treatment of tuberculosis.     

The comparative activity of twelve 4-quinolone antimicrobials against gram-positive and gram-negative anaerobes

The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of twelve 4-quinolone antimicrobials were determined for the Bacteroides fragilis group (50), Bacteroides melaninogenicus (20), Bacteroides bivius (10), Fusobacterium spp. (10), anaerobic Gram-positive cocci (50) and Clostridium spp. (20). MICs were determined using an agar dilution technique in Mueller-Hinton agar supplemented with 10% lysed horse blood. The inoculum used was approximately 10(4) colony-forming units, contained in 10 microliter of Mueller-Hinton broth, which was applied to the agar plates using a multipoint inoculator. Following inoculation, plates were incubated at 37 degrees C for 48 h in an anaerobic atmosphere. The MIC of each antimicrobial for each isolate examined was determined as the lowest concentration of the antimicrobial which completely inhibited growth of the inoculum. The minimum concentrations required to inhibit the growth of 50% (MIC50) and 90% (MIC90) of the organism examined were also determined. All of the more recently synthesised 4-quinolones showed increased activity against the anaerobic bacteria used in this study. Ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin were the most active compounds examined (Bacteroides fragilis group MIC90 ciprofloxacin 4 micrograms/ml; ofloxacin 4 microgram/ml; Bacteroides melaninogenicus MIC90 ciprofloxacin 2 micrograms/ml, ofloxacin 2 micrograms/ml; Bacteroides bivius MIC90 ciprofloxacin 16 micrograms/ml, ofloxacin 32 micrograms/ml; Fusobacterium spp. MIC90 ciprofloxacin 2 micrograms/ml, ofloxacin 4 micrograms/ml; Clostridium spp. MIC90 ciprofloxacin 1 microgram/ml, ofloxacin 1 microgram/ml and anaerobic Gram-positive cocci MIC90 ciprofloxacin 4 micrograms/ml, ofloxacin 4 micrograms/ml).     

Pathogen occurrence and antimicrobial resistance trends among urinary tract infection isolates in the Asia-Western Pacific Region: report from the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program, 1998-1999

Worldwide surveillance of antimicrobial resistance among urinary tract pathogens is useful to determine important trends and geographical variation for common Gram-positive and -negative species. The most common causative uropathogens often have intrinsic or acquired resistance mechanisms which include ESBL production among enteric bacilli, multi-drug resistant staphylococci and non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. This study evaluates pathogen frequency and the resistance rates among urinary tract infection (UTI) pathogens in 14 medical centres in the Asia-Pacific region between 1998 and 1999. The isolates were referred to a central monitor for reference NCCLS broth microdilution testing, identification confirmation and patient demographic analysis. Over 50% of the 958 pathogens were Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. followed by P. aeruginosa, Enterococcus spp. and Enterobacter spp. Susceptibility for the three enteric bacilli was high for carbapenems (100%), 'fourth-generation' cephalosporins (cefepime 94.9-98.6%) and amikacin (> or = 93.0%). Beta-lactamase inhibitor compounds were more active against E. coli (piperacillin/tazobactam; > 90% susceptible) than the other two enteric species and all other tested agents had a narrower spectra of activity. The rank order of anti-pseudomonal agents was amikacin (91.5% susceptible)> imipenem > piperacillin/tazobactam > tobramycin > ceftazidime and cefepime (77.4 and 76.4% susceptible, respectively). Susceptibility to quinolones for the P. aeruginosa isolates was only 63.2-67.0%. Only one vancomycin-intermediate Enterococcus spp. (van C phenotype) was detected among the 103 strains tested. Newer fluoroquinolones (gatifloxacin; MIC(50), mg/l) were more potent against enterococci than ciprofloxacin (MIC(50), 2 mg/l) and high-level resistance to aminoglycosides was common (41.7%). The data presented are compared to studies of similar design from other areas which are part of the SENTRY surveillance network.     

Antimicrobial susceptibility surveillance of recent isolates from ophthalmological infections to gatifloxacin and other antimicrobial drugs

The antimicrobial susceptibility of 240 isolates from the ophthalmological infections during July 2003 to March 2004 was determined to gatifloxacin (GFLX), levofloxacin, lomefloxacin and cefmenoxime applicable for ophthalmological infections. The in vitro activities of these drugs against the fresh isolates were compared. The quinolones including GFLX were potently active against Gram-positive bacteria, except for MRSA, a major causative pathogens for ophthalmological infection. When MIC ranges, MIC50 and MIC90 of three quinolones were compared, it was considered that the activity of GFLX was the most active of them. GFLX showed to be more active against opportunistic pathogens including Pseudomonas aeruginosa than other antimicrobial agents, and GFLX was especially potent against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis. In conclusion, GFLX exhibits a potently active against fresh isolates from ophthalmological infections, and has an effective potential in the treatment of ophthalmological infections with the drug to administer eye drops.     

Gatifloxacin: a new fluoroquinolone

Gatifloxacin is a new 8-methoxy-fluoroquinoline antimicrobial agent. It has enhanced activity against Gram-positive and atypical agents, while retaining broad-spectrum antiGram-negative activity. For example, the MIC(90) values for respiratory tract pathogens are < or = 0.5 microg/ml for organisms such as Streptococcus pneumoniae (regardless of penicillin susceptibility), Haemophilus influenzae (beta-lactamase positive or negative), Moraxella catarrhalis (beta-lactamase positive or negative), Legionella species, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, beta-haemolytic Streptococci (macrolide sensitive or resistant), Neisseria species, most Enterobacteriaceae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis, Pasteurella species, Vibrio species and Yersinia enterocolitica. For methicillin-resistant S. aureus, ciprofloxacin-resistant S. aureus, Citrobacter freundii, Providencia species, Serratia species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli, the MIC(90) are elevated. Gatifloxacin is bactericidal and exhibits a post-antibiotic effect against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. The standard dose is 400 mg once daily and is available in both oral and iv. formulation. Gatifloxacin appears to have a low propensity for the selection of resistant mutants. Clinical trial data supports the use of gatifloxacin for treatment of patients with respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin and soft tissue infections. The side effect profile for gatifloxacin is similar to that with other agents.