Effect of pefloxacin on adherence of Proteus-Providencia spp to squamous epithelial cells.

Pefloxacin, a new piperazinyl substituted quinolone derivative, reduced at sub-MICs (Minimal Subinhibitory Concentrations: four times lower than Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations) the in vitro adherence of Proteus-Providencia spp. to squamous epithelial cells obtained from the urinary tract. The decrease of adherence was about 30% and 50% after 1 h and, respectively, 16-18 h of incubation with pefloxacin. This finding suggests that pefloxacin may play a role in determining the in vivo adhesion of Proteus-Providencia spp. on the urinary tract and consequently the expression of bacterial pathogenic potency.