RESUMEN
Objective: To study the distribution of levofloxacin in the serum and ascites in patients with cirrhosis and to evaluate its efficacy in treatment of patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis(SBP). Methods:（1）Concentration of levofloxacin in the serum and ascites was detected with HPLC in 7 patients with cirrhosis at different time (in the serum: 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 12 h;in the ascites:2, 4, 6 and 12 h). （2）The effects of levofloxacin were observed in treatment of 30 patients with SBP. Results:（1） Levofloxacin was determined in serum and ascites of patients with cirrhosis, whose concentration depended on the duration after oral administration. In serum: tmax was 1.5 h and cmax was (3.913±1.388) μg/ml. In ascites: tmax was 6.0 h and cmax was (2.520±1.213) μg/ml. The levels decreased gradually after reaching peak concentration, then stabilized from 12 h.（2）The symptoms and signs were significantly improved in patients with SBP treated with the levofloxacin. Conclusion: After the oral administration, levofloxacin can both distribute in serum and ascites, and it is efficient in the treatment of the patients with SBP.
RESUMEN
Objective: To study the distribution of levofloxacin in the serum and ascites in patients with cirrhosis and to evaluate its efficacy in treatment of patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis(SBP). Methods:（1）Concentration of levofloxacin in the serum and ascites was detected with HPLC in 7 patients with cirrhosis at different time (in the serum: 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 12 h;in the ascites:2, 4, 6 and 12 h). （2）The effects of levofloxacin were observed in treatment of 30 patients with SBP. Results:（1） Levofloxacin was determined in serum and ascites of patients with cirrhosis, whose concentration depended on the duration after oral administration. In serum: tmax was 1.5 h and cmax was (3.913±1.388) μg/ml. In ascites: tmax was 6.0 h and cmax was (2.520±1.213) μg/ml. The levels decreased gradually after reaching peak concentration, then stabilized from 12 h.（2）The symptoms and signs were significantly improved in patients with SBP treated with the levofloxacin. Conclusion: After the oral administration, levofloxacin can both distribute in serum and ascites, and it is efficient in the treatment of the patients with SBP.