[Effectiveness of ofloxacin in the treatment of wound infections]

Ofloxacin (OFX) and doxycycline (D) were compared in an open randomized study in the treatment of wound infections, including soft tissue, traumatic and postoperative wound infections caused by gram-positive as well as gram-negative pathogens. Doses were 2 X 200 mg/day of OFX (n = 21) and 2 X 100 mg/day of D (n = 20). In three cases from the OFX group, the daily dose was successfully increased to 2 X 300 mg. Clinical cure was observed in 20 of 21 patients on OFX and in 12 of 20 patients on D. One patient who failed to respond clinically in the OFX group showed moderately severe gastric pain (possibly drug-related), but by the time this adverse effect became evident, the wound exudate had already cleared bacteriologically. In this study OFX proved to be highly effective in the treatment of wound infections, and it was also well tolerated. Not only did symptoms disappear more frequently under OFX than under D, but they also disappeared more quickly.