ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF MARBOFLOXACIN - A NEW FLUOROQUINOLONE FOR VETERINARY USE AGAINST CANINE AND FELINE ISOLATES

Marbofloxacin is a new fluoroquinolone developed exclusively for veter inary use. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of marbofloxacin were ass essed for 816 recent isolates associated with canine or feline disease s. Marbofloxacin showed a broad spectrum of activity against gram-nega tive and gram-positive bacteria. In vitro rates of killing of marboflo xacin and enrofloxacin were compared against strains of Staphylococcus intermedius and Pasteurella multocida, and the results showed no mark ed difference between the two antibiotics. The duration of bactericida l activity was evaluated ex vivo in the urine of dogs and cats treated with marbofloxacin and lasted from 2 to 5 days after a single adminis tration according to the dosages. Post-antibiotic effect durations wer e determined with Escherichia coli, Pasteurella multocida, Staphylococ cus aureus and Staphylococcus intermedius and were found almost equal to those of enrofloxacin or ciprofloxacin, These results predict a gre at potential for marbofloxacin in the treatment of a wide range of dis eases in dogs and cats.