Basic and clinical studies on pazufloxacin in the urological field

We studied the antibacterial activity and efficacy of pazufloxacin (PZFX), a new quinolone, in the urological field. 1) Antibacterial activity: The MICs of PZFX were measured against 207 clinical isolates of 14 species from urinary tract infections and compared with those of norfloxacin (NFLX) and ofloxacin (OFLX). In general, the antibacterial activity of PZFX was superior or equal to those of NFLX and OFLX. 2) Statistical studies were performed on Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from patients with urinary tract infection from 1983 to 1991. Antibacterial activities of PZFX, NFLX and OFLX against these strains were annually reduced both in Muller-Hinton broth (MHB) and in artificial urine (AU). Antibacterial activities of these new quinolones in AU were more reduced than those in MHB, but the antibacterial activity of PZFX was less reduced in AU than those of NFLX and OFLX in AU. It was considered that the antimicrobial activities of the new quinolones were reduced due to low pH and high concentrations of magnesium and calcium in AU. 3) Clinical efficacy: According to the criteria of the Japanese UTI Committee, the overall clinical efficacy rate was 71% (12/17) for chronic complicated UTI. Bacteriologically, 19 of 23 strains (83%) isolated were eradicated. 4) Side effects: No clinical adverse reactions and no abnormal laboratory findings were noted.