[Pefloxacin in the treatment of the bone and joint infections]

To assess efficacy and tolerability of pefloxacin in association with other antibiotics in the treatment of acute and chronic bone and joint infections.

From January to December 1997, all the outpatients with diagnosis of acute or chronic bone and joint infections have been enrolled in a perspective study. If possible a cultural or histopathological study was performed. Treatment response was evaluated with radiological and clinical chemistry parameters.

Fifteen patients [10 males, 5 females; mean age 40.7 +/- 15 years (range 15-71)] have been studied. They had 5 knee septic arthritis, 1 sacroileitis, 1 hip septic arthritis, 4 long bone osteomyelitis, 1 sterum osteomyelitis, 3 spondilitis. Three patients were HIV infected. Twelve were acute infections, 3 chronic ones. Overall, 7 were hematogenous infections, 6 subsequent to elective surgery, 1 post-traumatic thighbone osteomyelitis, 1 osteomyelitis by external fixation device. Isolates were S. aureus in 5 cases, P. mirabilis in 1 case, S. aureus+ Serratia marcescens in 1. In the remaining part cultural tests were negative. Pefloxacin was administered i.v. or orally at the dose of 400 mg/bid for a mean time of 114 +/- 74.5 days (range 30-270) in association with other chemotherapic agents. Ten good recoveries, 3 partial and 2 no responses were observed.

Pefloxacin resulted to be useful in the treatment of acute and chronic bone and joint infections. No severe side effect was observed during the treatment.