Concentrations of ofloxacin in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients without meningitis receiving the drug intravenously and orally.

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) penetration of ofloxacin given orally or or intravenously was studied in cancer patients without meningitis. Each patient was assigned to a different sampling time to assess the relation between time and penetration. Ofloxacin was measured in serum and CSF by high-pressure liquid chromatography and bioassay. In addition, the bactericidal titers were measured in CSF and serum against a set of relevant bacteria. Concentrations measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography and bioassay were well correlated. Peak concentrations in CSF (0.4 to 1 microgram/ml) were observed 2 to 4 h after infusion or oral administration. Peak concentrations in serum were observed just after infusion (2 to 3.5 micrograms/ml) or 1 to 2 h after oral administration (1.7 to 4 micrograms/ml). Measured bactericidal titers were well correlated with the titers expected from the MBC and concentration. High CSF bactericidal titers were observed against Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, and Escherichia coli, whereas low or no bactericidal titers were obtained against Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Streptococcus pneumoniae.