Abstract
The in vitro antibacterial activity of a new quinolone antimicrobial drug, grepafloxacin (GPFX), was determined, and the clinical effects were investigated, with the following results:
1. Antibacterial activity: Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of GPFX against 270 strains of 7 genera clinically isolated were determined according to the method defined by the Japan Society of Chemotherapy, and compared with MICs of three other drugs, ofloxacin (OFLX), ciprofloxacin (CPFX) and fleroxacin (FLRX).
GPFX showed potent antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria. The growth of methicillinsensitive Staphylococcus aureus was completely inhibited at the MIC of 0.10μg/ml, as was that of Streptococcus pneumoniae at 0.39μg/ml. Against gram-negative bacteria, GPFX showed more potent or similar antibacterial activity compared with CPFX, FLRX and OFLX.
2. Clinical results: GPFX was orally administered to 8 patients with respiratory infectious diseases (2 patients with pneumonia, 4 with chronic bronchitis, 1 with diffuse panbronchiolitis, 1 with bronchiectasis on infection) at a dose of 100-300 mg once a day for 3 to 14 days. The drug was clinically effective in 6 patients and fair in 2.
Side effects occurred in three patients: mild numbness of the extremities and dull headache were found in 1 patient who received theophylline with the administration of GPFX, nausea was found in 1 patient and diarrhea was found in 1 patient. Elevation of the total bilirubin level was observed in 1 patient on clinial laboratory tests.
