Pharmacodynamics and microbiology of trovafloxacin in animal models of surgical infection

Trovafloxacin provides broad in vitro and in vivo coverage of the aerobic a nd anaerobic pathogens found frequently in surgical infections. In vitro su sceptibility testing indicated that trovafloxacin inhibited gram-positive s taphylococci and enterococci, numerous gram-negative organisms, including E scherichia coli, and anaerobic pathogens, such as Bacteroides fragilis. Tro vafloxacin protected mice from lethal infections induced by gram-negative o r gram-positive organisms, even when these organisms were inoculated in com bination with B. fragilis. Trovafloxacin protected rats in models of intra- abdominal sepsis induced by inoculation with E. coli and B. fragilis or wit h multiple aerobic and anaerobic pathogens. In these experimental models, t rovafloxacin protected rats from lethal infection, reduced intra-abdominal abscess formation, and inhibited bacterial growth. Drug concentrations were greater in intra-abdominal abscesses than in serum, reflecting the good ti ssue penetration of trovafloxacin. These results indicate that trovafloxaci n may be effective in prophylaxis and treatment of mixed infections in surg ical patients. (C) 1998 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.