TISSUE CONCENTRATIONS AFTER A SINGLE-DOSE, ORALLY-ADMINISTERED OFLOXACIN IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC FOOT INFECTIONS

We studied the penetration of orally administered ofloxacin at the sit e of diabetes-related foot infections in patients with a planned debri dement of the lesion. A total of nine patients received 800 mg of oral ofloxacin 120 to 150 minutes before surgery. During surgery, vital ma rgin tissue and a serum sample were obtained. Serum and tissue concent rations of ofloxacin were measured. From seven patients sufficient amo unts of tissue were obtained. Mean serum concentration was 7.0 +/- 3.5 mg/liter; mean tissue concentrations was 11.5 +/- 8.4 mg/kg. Mean ser um and tissue concentrations exceed the minimal inhibitory concentrati on, (MIG,,) of commonly involved pathogens. This indicates that orally administered ofloxacin can be an effective treatment for infected dia betic foot lesions.