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Pefloxacin in the antibacterial treatment of immunodepressed patients
A Cajozzo1, R Carbone, M Carotenuto
1Istituto di Clinica Medica e Malattie Cardiovascolari, Università di Palermo, Italy.
Abstract:
Pefloxacin 800 to 1200 mg daily was given for 3 to 20 days, orally or intravenously, to 84 immunocompromised patients. Five patients dropped out because of side effects and 2 for other causes. Treatment efficacy was evaluated in 77 patients, 43 men and 34 women, aged 18 to 80 years. Immunodepression resulted from malignancy in 46 patients, LAS/ARC or AIDS in 28, and from unknown causes in 3. Fifty-eight patients had documented infections (respiratory-tract infections 29, urinary-tract infections 13, septicemia 10, other 6) and 19 had a fever of unknown origin (FUO). Cure or significant improvement of symptoms was achieved in 81% of patients with documented infections and in 74% of patients with FUO. Side effects (mainly gastrointestinal disturbances and skin rash) occurred in 7 patients (8.2%), including dropouts. These results suggest that pefloxacin may be useful for the antibacterial treatment of immunodepressed patients.
Insights
Pefloxacin demonstrated significant efficacy in treating infections in immunocompromised patients, with high cure rates for both documented infections and fever of unknown origin. Side effects were minimal, suggesting its utility in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
Background:
- Immunocompromised patients are at high risk for severe bacterial infections.
- Effective antibacterial treatment is crucial for managing infections in this population.
- Pefloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic with broad-spectrum activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pefloxacin in treating infections in immunocompromised patients.
- To assess treatment outcomes for documented infections and fever of unknown origin (FUO).
Main Methods:
- A total of 84 immunocompromised patients received pefloxacin (800-1200 mg daily) for 3-20 days, via oral or intravenous routes.
- Treatment efficacy was assessed in 77 patients with various underlying conditions, including malignancy and HIV/AIDS.
- Patients had documented infections (respiratory, urinary, septicemia) or FUO.
Main Results:
- Pefloxacin achieved cure or significant improvement in 81% of patients with documented infections.
- In patients with FUO, 74% experienced cure or significant improvement.
- Side effects, primarily gastrointestinal disturbances and rash, occurred in 8.2% of patients.
Conclusions:
- Pefloxacin shows promising antibacterial efficacy and a favorable safety profile in immunocompromised patients.
- The drug may be a valuable therapeutic option for managing infections in this patient group.