ABSTRACT
Resistance to some routine antimicrobial agents in respiratory tract pathogens causes therapy of lower respiratory tract infections difficult. New agents such as new fluoroquinolones are extensively studied and were found successful in bacterial eradication and decrease in relapse rate. Therefore in this study we evaluated the antimicrobial resistance in bacterial strains isolated from cases of lower respiratory tract infection against newer quinolones. Sputum samples from 97 patients with a diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia [CAP] or acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis [AECB] were sent to Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology by the Department of Pulmonology. The resistance of isolated microorganisms to the new fluoroquinolones levofloxacin, gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin was determined by E-test strips. Results: Among 97 patients, there were 25 patients of CAP and 72 patients of AECB. 1 strain each of S. pneumoniae, and M. catarrhalis were in 25 CAP patients. There were 4 strains of S.pneumoniae, 8 strains of H.influenzae and 2 strains of M. catarrhalis in 72 AECB patients. Except in 2 P.aeruginosa strains, none of the other strains was found resistant to the new fluoroquinolones. There is a need for development of new agents due to the increasing resistance to antibiotics in respiratory tract pathogens. Our results showed that there is minimal antimicrobial resistance to newer quinolones and these seem to be a promising alternate option in this era of antimicrobial resistance