Review of quinolones in the treatment of infections of the skin and skin structure.

The oral fluoroquinolones ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and temafloxacin are active against staphylococci, Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Ciprofloxacin has been extensively studied, and is as effective as parenteral third-generation cephalosporins in many difficult infections of the skin and skin structure. Ofloxacin has been less extensively studied, yet is probably more effective than ciprofloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus, while less effective against P. aeruginosa. Temafloxacin is an oral quinolone, and appears to be a promising agent for skin and soft tissue infections due to its extended spectrum of activity, including anaerobic pathogens. Oral fluoroquinolone monotherapy, when combined with surgical debridement and local management, may be effective in many difficult infections of the skin and skin structure previously treated with parenteral antibiotics.