Decreased Susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae to Fluoroquinolones in Canada

S treptococcus pneumoniae is the most common bacterial cause of community-acquired pneumonia, meningitis, otitis media, and sinusitis. The emergence of resistance to antimicrobial agents commonly used for the treatment of pneumococcal disease has led to changes in recommended regimens of antimicrobial treatment. 1 – 5 The earlier fluoroquinolones, including norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and ofloxacin, have borderline activity against pneumococci at the recommended dosages and therefore are not recommended for the treatment of pneumococcal infections. 6 However, with the increase in the use of ciprofloxacin and the introduction of newer fluoroquinolones such as levofloxacin, grepafloxacin, and trovafloxacin that have greater in vitro activity against S. . . .