Laboratory evaluation of enoxacin: comparison with norfloxacin and nalidixic acid.

Enoxacin displayed activity similar to that of norfloxacin against enterobacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococci, streptococci and Bacteroides spp. The activity of enoxacin against many strains was reduced in acid conditions, but the pH effect was not so marked as that seen with norfloxacin. Nalidixic acid was found to be more active in acid conditions, particularly against staphylococci, Streptococcus faecalis and Ps. aeruginosa. In conditions simulating the treatment of bacterial cystitis, a single dose of enoxacin, achieving a peak concentration of 50 mg/l, suppressed growth of nalidixic acid-sensitive and -resistant Gram-negative bacilli for periods of between 18 and 25 X 5 h. Reduced susceptibility of bacteria surviving exposure to enoxacin was observed in one nalidixic acid-resistant strain of Escherichia coli and in nalidixic acid-sensitive strains exposed to low doses (peak concentration = 5 mg/l) of enoxacin. These results are similar to those obtained with norfloxacin and substantially better than those obtained with nalidixic acid.