title: Ophthalmic infections and their anti-infective challenges.
abstract: This introduction provides an overview of the succeeding articles contained within this supplement on the new fourth-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic product, moxifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5% (VIGAMOX, Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX). Moxifloxacin was developed specifically to address the increasing incidence of resistance to earlier-generation antibiotic molecules. Structural modifications to the moxifloxacin molecule have decreased the likelihood of the development of resistant organisms. This antibiotic has been shown to possess greater activity than previous-generation molecules against gram-positive bacteria while maintaining excellent potency against gram-negative organisms and nontuberculous (atypical) mycobacteria. Moxifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5% exhibits enhanced bioavailability due to a unique molecular structure that combines high lipophilicity for enhanced corneal penetration with high aqueous solubility at physiological pH. Numerous studies have shown that moxifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5% has high potency against a broad range of microbial species and a favorable profile in terms of safety and tolerability. The results presented in this supplement provide additional evidence for the potential benefits of moxifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5% in surgical prophylaxis and treatment of sight-threatening infections, such as bacterial conjunctivitis, endophthalmitis and keratitis.
authors.affiliation: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alfonso
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crider
mesh_terms: D001372:Aza Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001682:Biological Availability; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D000077266:Moxifloxacin; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011804:Quinolines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001372:Aza Compounds; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011804:Quinolines; D000077266:Moxifloxacin