Fluoroquinolone treatment of skin and skin structure infections

When the causative pathogens are susceptible, the fluoroquinolones have bee n demonstrated to be highly efficacious in the treatment of both mild uncom plicated skin and skin structure infections as well as the more severe comp licated infections involving these tissues, including infections of the fee t of diabetic patients. These broad spectrum agents, particularly the newer fluoroquinolones with enhanced activity against Gram-positive bacteria, ar e ideal for treating the often polymicrobial complicated skin and skin stru cture infections. The wisdom of treating uncomplicated skin infections, whi ch are primarily due to staphylococci and streptococci wherein more narrow spectrum p-lactam antibiotics would suffice, is questionable.