Levofloxacin in Bacterial Rhinosinussitis

Overview

Inflammatory paranasal diseases are among the most common diseases in ENT In Russia, puncture method has been conventional approach to treatment of maxillary sinusitis. However, this procedure is associated with a number of drawbacks A promising trend for the treatment of purulent sinusitis is a reasonable antibacterial therapy Fluoroquinolones, particularly levofloxacin, are highly active against pneumonocci and are more active vs. the drug products of the second generation against intracellular agents (Chlamydia spp., Mycoplasma spp., M. tuberculosis, rapidly growing atypical mycobacteria (M. avium, etc.). Due to high activity against the agents causing bacterial upper and lower respiratory tract infections they are sometimes called "respiratory" fluoroquinolones

Inflammatory diseases of paranasal sinuses occupy one of the leading positions in the overall structure of ENT-diseases. Puncture method has been a conventional approach to the treatment of suppurative maxillary sinusitis in Russia until present. However, this relatively simple and conventional treatment method has a number of disadvantages. Fear of an unpleasant procedure is justified. Generally, single puncture does not ensure healing, and the doctor has to install drainage or of perform repeated manipulations significantly reducing quality of life during the disease period. There is also a certain risk of puncture needle penetration into adjacent areas. Sometimes direct contraindications to punctures exist (intolerance of topical anesthetics, blood clotting disorders, etc.). The puncture itself, as an independent method, is a relieving procedure rather than a pathognomonic treatment method, especially regarding severe combined forms of sinusitis with risk of intracranial complications. Due to lacking standardized antibacterial drugs to be injected into the sinus, multiple punctures are erroneously considered to be able of eliminating the bacterial agent successfully. One of the promising trends regarding the treatment of suppurative maxillary sinusitis is an adequate antibacterial therapy. Fluoroquinolones of last generations, levofloxacin in particular, which are highly active against pneumococci, are more effective vs. generation II drugs against intracellular agents (Chlamydia spp., Mycoplasma spp., M.tuberculosis, rapidly growing atypical mycobacteria (M.avium, etc.). At that activity towards other gram-negative bacteria is not reduced. An important property of these drugs consists in activity regarding a number of bacteria resistant to generation II fluoroquinolones. Due to high activity against the agents of upper and lower respiratory bacterial infections they are sometimes called "respiratory" fluoroquinolones. According to a publication, Levofloxacin 500 mg q.d. for 5 days eliminated radiological signs of the disease by the end of the course in 65% subjects, while 35% showed positive changes only (М.А. Panyakina, 2012). Based on these findings, otolaryngologists have to obtain higher therapeutic efficacy levels with the same 5-day course, since this treatment term demonstrates violated compliance most frequently. One of the options is an elevation of daily dose. In particular, Rameez Shah (2013) published data concerning high efficacy of levofloxacin at a daily dose of 750 mg for 5 days. Necessity to search ways to shorten the current course of antibiotic therapy is being under discussion at all levels. Particularly, 24th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases performed on May 10-13, 2014 in Barcelona (ECCMID 2014) repeatedly raised question concerning revision of the current treatment standards and clinical recommendations concerning duration of antibiotic therapy and dosing regimens. Based on the above-mentioned findings, it would be interesting to evaluate efficacy of various antibiotic schemes (respiratory fluoroquinolones or protected aminopenicillin) in hospital conditions.