POSSIBLE ROLE FOR THE NEW FLUOROQUINOLONES (LEVOFLOXACIN, GREPAFLOXACIN, TROVAFLOXACIN, CLINAFLOXACIN, SPARFLOXACIN, AND DU-6859A) IN THE TREATMENT OF ANAEROBIC INFECTIONS - REVIEW OF CURRENT INFORMATION ON EFFICACY AND SAFETY

The currently available fluoroquinolones have modest activity against anaerobes. Newer fluoroquinolones with increased in vitro activity aga inst anaerobes are under development and include levofloxacin, clinafl oxacin, sparfloxacin, trovafloxacin, grepafloxacin, and DU-6859a. Side effects of the quinolones have varied according to the specific compo unds and include central nervous system stimulation, gastrointestinal disturbances, vasculitis, and photosensitization. Monitoring for toxic ity is incompletely reliable in identifying all potential serious side effects such as the ''temafloxacin syndrome.'' Other fluoroquinolones may produce this syndrome rarely or not at all. In this paper, I revi ew limited published studies on the use of these agents for skin and s kin-structure infections and gynecologic infections. Studies in progre ss are noted, and when available, in vitro data on the efficacy of the se agents against bacterial isolates from specific sources are reviewe d and evaluated in terms of potential clinical utility.