In vitro and clinical evaluation of ofloxacin in urinary tract infection and enteric fever

During 1984 to 1988, 35 patients with urinary tract infection (UTI) and 37 patients with enteric fever were treated successfully with 400 mg ofloxacin twice a day for 7 to 10 days. Clinical cure or improvement was observed in 31 of the 35 patients with UTI; 32 patients were bacteriologically assessed and eradication was achieved in all of them. Ofloxacin was particularly effective in the treatment of enteric fever in 35 patients; eradication was achieved in all of them; 34 patients were clinically cured within 4 days, however, one patient with bacteraemia due to Salmonella paratyphi A subsequently died, due to his underlying disorder. The MIC90 of the Enterobacteriaceae including Salmonella was less than 0.12 micrograms/ml. Interestingly, beta-lactamase-producing strains of Salmonella and other Enterobacteriaceae in the present study were 28% and 29%, respectively. Ofloxacin therefore offers an effective b.i.d. dosage schedule for enteric fever and UTI due to beta-lactamase-producing bacteria.