[From cystitis to bacterial prostatitis: experience with levofloxacin]

According to data reported by Naber (2008), urinary tract infections (UTIs), represent the main nosocomial acquired infection (40%); these infections are second, in order of frequency, only to respiratory tract infections in ambulatory setting, and account for 20% of ambulatory uro-nephrologic disease. Nowadays, the UTI's classification recognizes five different groups, represented by acute, non complicated lower urinary tract infections (cystitis), acute non complicated pyelonephritis, complicated UTI's with/without pyelonephritis, urosepsis and special forms, such as prostatitis, epididimitis, and orchitis. With regard to therapy, and specifically to fluoroquinolones, the European urologists' scientific community is unanimous in considering that levofloxacin plays a very important activity in the urological field, its antimicrobial spectrum being extended to Gram positive and atypical microorganisms as well.