title: Gatifloxacin in community-acquired respiratory tract infection.
abstract: Gatifloxacin (Tequin, Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd) is a new fluoroquinolone with a broad spectrum of activity for pathogens implicated in community-acquired respiratory tract infections, including Gram-positive, -negative and atypical bacteria. Excellent oral bioavailability, a half-life allowing once-daily administration and excellent penetration into respiratory tissues are desirable pharmacokinetic characteristics of gatifloxacin. Monte Carlo simulation of gatifloxacin in Streptococcus pneumoniae infection demonstrates that adequate levels of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters are obtained with gatifloxacin in almost all instances. In randomised, controlled trials and a large open-label, community-based study, gatifloxacin has shown excellent clinical and bacteriological efficacy in acute bacterial sinusitis, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and community-acquired pneumonia. Current guidelines recommend the initial empiric use of gatifloxacin (along with the other new fluoroquinolones) for community-acquired respiratory tract infection in patients who have increased likelihood of infection with resistant pathogens. Another group of patients where this agent is recommended for initial antimicrobial therapy are those who, because of underlying disease and/or comorbid conditions, need an antibiotic with high antimicrobial efficacy to achieve optimal outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary/Critical Care/Sleep Medicine, University at Buffalo SUNY, Buffalo, NY 14215, USA. ssethi@buffalo.edu
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sethi
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001682:Biological Availability; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077734:Gatifloxacin; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D000077734:Gatifloxacin