Post-exposure prophylaxis of systemic anthrax in mice and treatment with fluoroquinolones.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the fluoroquinolones gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin with ciprofloxacin for post-exposure prophylaxis of systemic anthrax in a BALB/c mouse model.


METHODS
Treated mice and controls were inoculated subcutaneously with 5 x 10(4) spores/mouse of Bacillus anthracis Ames strain and observed for 37 days after challenge. Treated mice were given 100 mg/kg of antibiotic orally twice daily for 14 days, starting at various times post-challenge.


RESULTS
Treatment starting 6 h post-challenge resulted in survival rates of 90%, 15% and 40% for gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin and ciprofloxacin, respectively. Treatment commencing 24 h post-challenge resulted in survival rates of 65%, 10% and 5%, respectively. Treatment starting more than 24 h after exposure had little effect on survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Gatifloxacin appeared to be more effective than moxifloxacin or ciprofloxacin, at similar doses, for early post-exposure treatment of murine systemic anthrax. However, these results might be due to differences in potency or pharmacokinetic properties.
Steward
J
J
Biomedical Sciences, Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 OJQ, UK. jasteward@dstl.gov.uk
Lever
M S
MS
Simpson
A J H
AJ
Sefton
A M
AM
Brooks
T J G
TJ
D000818:Animals; D000881:Anthrax / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001372:Aza Compounds / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000187:drug effects; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077734:Gatifloxacin; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D000077266:Moxifloxacin; D011804:Quinolines / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016019:Survival Analysis
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001372:Aza Compounds; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D011804:Quinolines; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D000077734:Gatifloxacin; D000077266:Moxifloxacin