title: Quinolones in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections caused by intracellular pathogens.
abstract: Intracellular pathogens are inhibited to varying degrees, depending upon the strain of the organism and the quinolone tested. Quinolones achieve levels in the lower respiratory tract that equal or exceed serum concentrations, and they also achieve good intracellular concentrations. Experimental models of intracellular infection have demonstrated the efficacy of ciprofloxacin, difloxacin, fleroxacin, ofloxacin and pefloxacin. Animal models of experimental legionellosis have confirmed in vivo their efficacy in this field. Thus, quinolones appear to be a safe and efficacious alternative treatment in lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) due to intracellular pathogens. Considering the in vitro and experimental studies, quinolones should play an important role in the treatment of LRTI caused by intracellular pathogens, and prospective controlled studies are strongly recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Lille II, Central Hospital, Tourcoing, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chidiac
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mouton
mesh_terms: D042462:4-Quinolones; D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D003381:Coxiella; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007877:Legionnaires' Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D011019:Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / Q000188:drug therapy; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D012288:Rickettsiaceae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D042462:4-Quinolones; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents