Ofloxacin treatment in the management of chronic osteitis.

In an open prospective study, the efficacy and tolerability of ofloxacin in the treatment of chronic post-traumatic osteitis was examined in 83 patients. 103 different pathogens were isolated. More than 75% were Gram-positive bacteria with Staphylococcus aureus occurring in 61% of cases. After ofloxacin treatment bacteriological elimination was more than 90% for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative species, leading to a clinical cure in 85% of patients. Reinfection occurred in 5% of patients. These values were obtained from follow-up examinations which were carried out at least 6 months after the end of therapy. The tolerability of ofloxacin was excellent and no drug-related allergic reactions or side effects were observed. In conjunction with adequate surgical treatment, ofloxacin proved to be a useful antibacterial agent in the therapy of chronic bone infection.