Optimal Management of RTI – Intriguing New Results in ABECOPD in Asia

29 March, 2018

Question 1

How has the introduction and continued availability of fluoroquinolones affected infectious diseases, particularly respiratory tract infections (RTI)?

Fluoroquinolones have had a tremendous, long-lasting impact on medicine since their original introduction over three decades ago. While other classes of antimicrobials are available, many of these have specific drawbacks. For example, many antimicrobials do not have activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, resistant Gram-negatives and atypicals, such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila. In contrast, among the fluoroquinolones, there are agents, such as levofloxacin, that are active against these previously difficult to treat pathogens. In addition, non-fluoroquinolone agents, such as penicillin and sulfa drugs, have been associated with significant allergies and the fluoroquinolones provide an alternative therapeutic option for these patients. Therefore, the advent of fluoroquinolones, particularly those such as levofloxacin that possess activity against the respiratory pathogens, was very significant, providing an effective oral therapy with a convenient dosing schedule.