Fluoroquinolones in bronchopulmonary infections

In recent years, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, two of the most common pathogens causing bronchopulmonary infections, have developed resistance towards beta-lactam antibiotics in many areas of the globe. In some countries, resistance rates are so high that treatment with penicillin can not be recommended as the therapy of choice. Unfortunately, many S. pneumoniae strains resistant to penicillins are also resistant to co-trimoxazole and erythromycin, and even to the novel macrolides. Present fluoroquinolones may have to be used in such resistant cases. The fluoroquinolones possess a superior activity against H. influenzae and other pathogens causing bronchitis and pneumonia. Fluoroquinolones have a favourable pharmacokinetic profile including penetration into sputum, bronchial fluid, alveolar lining fluid and alveolar macrophages, and therapeutic concentrations and ratios are superior to those of the beta-lactams. Fluoroquinolones have been shown to produce better results than the comparative agents in bronchitis and, in cystic fibrosis, they achieve a definite clinical amelioration in paediatric patients without substantial additional toxicity. Their use in legionnaires' disease has not been confirmed and their place in the treatment of community-acquired pneimonias - particularly those caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia trachomatis and the TWAR agent - deserves further investigation.