Pefloxacin in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections in geriatrics.

Pefloxacin was administered to 24 geriatric patients as treatment for lower respiratory tract infections contracted in hospital. Efficacy was evaluated by clinical, bacteriological and radiological parameters. Two-thirds of the patients responded well to therapy. Only two of 30 pathogens were not eradicated, but seven patients had superinfection or colonization by another organism. Tolerance was excellent, with only slight gastro-intestinal disorders. Pefloxacin was shown to be an effective and safe therapy for lower respiratory tract infections contracted in hospital in elderly patients.