Smoking is associated with an increased risk of respiratory tract infection in adults likely because components in the smoke might alter properties of the epithelial cell surface. In studies with smokers suffering from acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD), the most common bacterial pathogens found were mainly Haemophilus influenzae, but also Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Moraxella catarrhalis. Therefore, antibiotics should be effective against such possible pathogens. Prulifloxacin has demonstrated in vitro activity against all these pathogens. We designed the present study to evaluate the efficacy of prulifloxacin in the treatment of AECOPD in cigarette smokers. We enrolled 61 consecutive smokers hospitalized or out-patients of either sex with symptoms and signs compatible with the usual diagnosis criteria for AECOPD. Haemophilus influenzae was the most common bacterial species isolated in the sputum (in 42.6% of the total sample), followed by S. pneumoniae (16.5%), S. aureus (14.7%), M. catarrhalis (11.5%), and others (14.7%). Prulifloxacin 600 mg was given orally once daily for 10 days. Clinical success was observed in 91.8% of patients (67.2% cured and 24.6% improved). Bacteriological eradication rate of H. influenzae was 100%. Persistent pathogens were S. pneumoniae (2 out of 10), S. aureus (1 out of 8), M. catarrhalis (1 out of 7), and P. aeruginosa (1 out of 3). This study seems to indicate that prulifloxacin is of particular value in the treatment of AECOPD in cigarette smokers.
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