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Fluoroquinolones in the management of community-acquired pneumonia

Albertson TE, Dean NC, El Solh AA, Gotfried MH, Kaplan C, Niederman MS

International journal of clinical practice, 2010

Abstract

AIMS: Review of the current guidelines for the use of respiratory fluoroquinolones in the management of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

METHODS: Data were collected from recent clinical trials on fluoroquinolone therapy in patients with CAP and from updated recommendations of antimicrobial therapy in managing CAP, with a focus on current North American guidelines.

RESULTS: Randomised clinical trials of respiratory fluoroquinolones (moxifloxacin, levofloxacin and gemifloxacin) in the treatment of CAP were identified and analysed. The bacteriology of CAP, and susceptibility rates, resistance rates and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of fluoroquinolones against causative pathogens in CAP, and adverse event profiles of these agents were described. Respiratory fluoroquinolones have broad-spectrum antibacterial activities against common causative pathogens in CAP and provide an important treatment option as monotherapy for outpatients with comorbidities and inpatients who are not admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), including those with risk factors of drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. For treatment of ICU patients with severe CAP, it is recommended that fluoroquinolones be used in combination with a beta-lactam. Recent studies also demonstrated a more rapid resolution of clinical symptoms with the use of highly potent respiratory fluoroquinolones.

DISCUSSION: Appropriate use of fluoroquinolone agents may shorten the duration of antimicrobial…

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