Moxifloxacin vs ampicillin/sulbactam in aspiration pneumonia and primary lung abscess

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Published on: January 22, 2021

S R Ott1, M Allewelt, J Lorenz

  • 1Helios Chest Hospital Heckeshorn, Department of Chest and Infectious Diseases, Affiliated to Charité, University of Medicine Berlin, Walterhöfer Str. 11, D-14165, Berlin, Germany. sebastian.ott@helios-kliniken.de

Infection
|January 31, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Moxifloxacin (MXF) and ampicillin/sulbactam (AMP/SUL) show similar efficacy and safety for treating aspiration pneumonia (AP) and primary lung abscess (PLA). MXF offers a more convenient once-daily dosage for these serious lung infections.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pulmonology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Aspiration pneumonia (AP) and primary lung abscess (PLA) result from inhaling infectious material.
  • Antibiotic therapy targeting anaerobic pathogens is the standard treatment.
  • This study evaluates moxifloxacin (MXF) against ampicillin/sulbactam (AMP/SUL) for AP and PLA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy and safety of moxifloxacin versus ampicillin/sulbactam in treating aspiration-associated pulmonary infections.
  • To assess clinical response rates and tolerability of both antibiotic regimens.
  • To highlight the convenience of moxifloxacin's dosing regimen.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, open-label, randomized, multicenter trial.
  • 139 patients with AP or PLA were enrolled.
  • Sequential antibiotic therapy with either MXF or AMP/SUL was administered until clinical and radiologic resolution.

Main Results:

  • 96 patients were evaluable for efficacy, with 48 in each treatment group.
  • Both MXF and AMP/SUL achieved identical overall clinical response rates of 66.7%.
  • Both antibiotics were well tolerated, with comparable safety profiles during extended treatment durations.

Conclusions:

  • Moxifloxacin is clinically as effective and safe as ampicillin/sulbactam for aspiration-associated pulmonary infections.
  • Moxifloxacin provides a significant advantage with a more convenient once-daily (400 mg qd) dosing schedule.
  • The findings support moxifloxacin as a viable treatment option for AP and PLA.

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