title: Levofloxacin  for the treatment of respiratory tract infections.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fluoroquinolone use has dramatically increased since the introduction of the first respiratory fluoroquinolone in the late 1990s. Levofloxacin , like other fluoquinolones, is a potent antibiotic, due to high levels of susceptibility among Gram-negative, Gram-positive (including penicillin-resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumonia) and atypical pathogens. Levofloxacin is recommended for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and in the management of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB). Levofloxacin demonstrates good safety, bioavailability and tissue penetration, thus maintaining adequate concentrations at the site of infection. High-dose (750 mg), short-course (5 days) therapy regimens may offer improved treatment, especially in HAP, due to higher drug concentrations, increased adherence and the potential to reduce the development of resistance.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article covers medical literature published in any language since 1990 until November 2011, on 'levofloxacin', identified using PubMed and MEDLINE. The search terms used were 'levofloxacin' and 'community acquired pneumonia', 'hospital pneumonia' or 'AECB'.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Levofloxacin is a valuable antimicrobial agent and an optimal treatment option for AECB, CAP (as a monotherapy) and HAP (as combination therapy at a high-dose regimen). Its improved bioavailability and safety profile makes the possibility of shorter hospital stays a reality.
authors.affiliation: University of Barcelona, Respiratory Department, Villarroel 170 Barcelona 08036, Spain. atorres@clinic.ub.es
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Adamantia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liapikou
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D064704:Levofloxacin; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D064704:Levofloxacin; D015242:Ofloxacin