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Twenty nine patients with Rickettsiosis (Tick born fever, n: 22, Q fever, n: 7) has been treated with fluoroquinolones. These compounds was used alone n: 25 (Pefloxacin, n: 15; Ofloxacin, n: 10) or associated n: 4 (Pefloxacin + Rifampin). The general efficacy was excellent. Common Tick born fever and pulmonary forms of Q fever was fast cured. Severe Tick born fever (neurologic or polyvisceral forms, n: 5) and Q fever with long term hyperthermia, n: 4 cas always cured without complications but the time necessary to obtain apyrexia was often longer (6 cases).

In 53 patients undergoing cataract extraction, the authors measured pefloxacin and ofloxacin penetration in aqueous humour and lens. Cataract removal was performed at varying times after either the end of one-hour infusion of pefloxacin, ofloxacin per os in one time, or pefloxacin per os during 3 days. In the two first schemes, acme concentrations in aqueous humour are 1.45 mg/l for pefloxacin, 1.14 mg/l for ofloxacin. These concentrations reach the MIC90 of most bacteria usually involved in endophthalmia. The steady state concentrations of pefloxacin are between 6 and 7 mg/l during the first 12 h: they reach the MIC of 80% of Streptococci. There is no evidence of accumulation of pefloxacin in lens; lenticular concentrations of ofloxacin are very low and rapidly decrease.

In vitro activity of four fluorinated quinolones: pefloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin were determined against various clinical isolates of mycobacteria. The method of agar dilution was used, seventy strains of ten species were tested: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (25), Mycobacterium bovis (5), Mycobacterium africanum (2), BCG (5), Mycobacterium kansasii (6), Mycobacterium marinum (5), Mycobacterium avium (11), Mycobacterium xenopi (6), Mycobacterium chelonae (3), Mycobacterium fortuitum (2). Except for Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium chelonae (CMI 100% greater than 8 mg/l) fluorinated quinolones showed activity against tested mycobacteria (CMI 100% less than or equal to 8 mg/l). Ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin where found to be the most active. Their activity against the different strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was unrelated to their susceptibility or resistance to the antituberculous drugs.

The bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity of the pefloxacin-ceftriaxone combination was studied in Mueller-Hinton broth against 18 clinical strains of acinetobacter calcoaceticus var. anitratum by the checkerboard technique. The bactericidal activity was tested after 2, 4, 6 and 24 hours contact. MICs were 0.12 to 4 mg/l for pefloxacin and 2 to 64 mg/l for ceftriaxone. The bacteriostatic interaction of the antibiotics was synergistic for 5 strains (FIC index = 0.375 to 0.5) and additive for 13 strains (FIC index = 0.51 to 1). The bactericidal interaction was synergistic for 1 strain after 2 hours, 3 strains after 4 hours, 6 strains after 6 hours, and 12 strains after 24 hours. By the FBC technique at 24 hours, the combination was synergistic for 5 strains (FBC index = 0.375 to 5) and additive for 13 strains (FBC index = 0.51 to 1). No antagonism was detected. The combination is mainly additive but synergism is observed for some strains of acinetobacter. Ceftriaxone prevented the late regrowth noted with pefloxacin.

The aim of this study was to evaluate pharmacokinetics of pefloxacin (PFL) in burn patients (n = 11), compared with 5 non burned subjects. The role of the extent of the burn and the delay after initial thermal trauma were also evaluated. Our results suggest that neither the extent of the burn, nor the delay of the study play a role. Compared with non-burned subjects, burn patients exhibit a shorter elimination half-life, but modifications in dosage regimen are not required.

Intraocular distribution of pefloxacin was evaluated in 64 patients undergoing ocular surgery and in 4 rabbits after experimental infection of one eye by Staphylococcus aureus. Patients were perfused during one hour either with 800 or 400 mg of pefloxacin. Samples (serum, aqueous humor, vitreous fluid) were collected 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 12 h after the end of antibiotic administration. Antibiotic levels were measured using a standard microbiological assay. The aqueous humor levels remained stables until 12 h, but were higher with a posology of 800 mg (mean level: 2.66 mg/l) than with a posology of 400 mg (mean level: 0.66 mg/l). The ratio between vitreous and serum concentrations ranged from 8 at 12% with 400 mg and from 2 to 36% with perfusion of 800 mg. The efficacy of pefloxacin treatment is demonstrated in the experimental infection of rabbits eyes.