A Trial of High-Dose, Short-Course Levofloxacin for the Treatment of Acute Bacterial Sinusitis
These data have been presented in poster form at the 2005 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, San Antonio, TX, March 18-22, 2005.
Objective
Compare two dosage strengths of levofloxacin in the treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis.
Study design and setting
Multicenter clinical trial comparing levofloxacin 750 mg for 5 days vs levofloxacin 500 mg for 10 days.
Results
Sinus fluid samples were obtained by antral puncture (59.2%) or by sinus endoscopy (40.8%). Among microbiologically evaluable patients, 91.4% (139/152) of patients receiving levofloxacin 750 mg achieved clinical success vs 88.6% (132/149) of patients receiving levofloxacin 500 mg (95% CI −10.0, 4.2). Clinical success rates by pathogen were above 90% in both treatment groups for the 3 typical pathogens of acute sinusitis: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. The safety profile of the 2 dosage strengths was similar.
Conclusion
Levofloxacin 750 mg for 5 days is noninferior to levofloxacin 500 mg for 10 days.
Significance
Levofloxacin 750 mg for 5 days represents a safe and effective treatment regimen for acute bacterial sinusitis.
ABSTRACT