Kg. Kerr et al., Activity of quinolones against viridans group streptococci isolated from blood cultures of patients with haematological malignancy, SUPP CARE C, 7(1), 1999, pp. 28-30
Use of fluoroquinolones for antimicrobial prophylaxis during neutropenia is
often cited as a significant predisposing factor for viridans group strept
ococcus (VGS) bacteraemia. Newer compounds in this class are reputed to hav
e enhanced activity against Gram-positive bacteria, and we determined the m
inimal inhibitory concentrations (VGS) for ciprofloxacin and three of the n
ewer compounds: trovafloxacin, fleroxacin and clinafloxacin, against 44 iso
lates of VGS. On a gravimetric basis, clinafloxacin was most active (MIC90
0.19 mg/l), whereas ciprofloxacin and fleroxacin were the least active (bot
h MIC90 16 mg/l). Clinafloxacin warrants further study as an agent of proph
ylaxis against bacterial infection in neutropenic patients.