[Levofloxacin versus beta-lactamic therapy in community acquired pneumonia that requires hospitalization]

To compare the effectiveness and security of levofloxacin treatment in front betalactamic therapy in patient with community-acquired pneumonia that require hospitalization (CAPH).

A prospective and randomized study along a year from 49 patients diagnosed of (CAPH) that were admitted in the Internal Medicine Service. The patients were assigned randomly to receive.-I: cefotaxime or ceftriaxone, II: amoxicillin/clavulanate (both could be associated or not with a macrolide) or III: levofloxacin. It was accomplished Rx. thorax to 7-10 days, to the month and, other reviews if was necessary.

29 cases were in standard therapy (I or II) and 20 cases received levofloxacin therapy. Male 84%, half age 70.9 years old, 57% with moderate or severe underlying disease, and 55% with approaches of initial severity criteria. In 47% of the cases we arrived to etiologic diagnosis, in the third of the cases were BGN. The cure took place in 94% of the patients and 2 patients died (5%). No differences were observed regarding demographic characteristics, underlying disease and severity. No differences were detected in: the secondary effects, complications, hospital stay or, mean stay or percentage of cures. The necessity to prolong the therapy was bigger in the standard group in front of the group tried with levofloxacin (52% vs. 15%, p:0.02).

In bigger population and with initial severity the treatment with levofloxacin can be a valid alternative to the standard therapy.