Canadian ofloxacin susceptibility study: a comparative study from 18 medical centers. Canadian Ofloxacin Study Group

Ofloxacin, a newer fluorinated 4-quinolone having a broad spectrum of activity was evaluated against 5,553 clinical pathogens isolated from urine, respiratory tract, skin and genital tract infections at 18 Canadian Medical Centers spread across the nation. Approximately 300 strains were reported (zone diameters) from each site. The zones of ofloxacin, other fluoroquinolones, oral cephalosporins and penicillins were analyzed and interpreted by NCCLS criteria. Ofloxacin had the widest spectrum of activity against gram-positive organisms and most gram-negative organisms, while ciprofloxacin was only superior for the Pseudomonas spp. The percentage of isolates susceptible to ofloxacin was as follows: for respiratory tract pathogens = 94%, for skin and soft tissue infections = 94%, for urinary tract organisms = 93% and for genital tract isolates = 94%.