Effect of Mao-bushi-saishin-to on infection of ofloxacin resistant bacteria and of unknown origin

When seven elderly patients with fever due to bacterial infection failed to respond to ofloxacin 300 mg/day for 3 days, we prescribed Mao-bushi-saishi n-to for 7 days. Bushi, one of the components of Mao-bushi-saishin-to, is a complex of various alkaloids, which is known to stimulate the conducting s ystem of the heart, so half of the standard dose was prescribed for these p atients. We assessed changes in the patients' body temperatures and serum C -reactive protein concentrations. As a result, the patients' body temperatu res all fell to under 37 degreesC and C-reactive protein levels decreased f rom an average of 3.06 mg/dl to an average of 0.36 mg/dl (P < 0.02). In cas es where a fever does not decrease through dosage of an antibiotic such as ofloxacin after about 3 days, half of the standard dose of Mao-bushi-saishi n-to for 7 days should be considered as a complementary therapy. (C) 2000 H arcourt Publishers Ltd.