Diffusion of ofloxacin into human lung tissue.

Ofloxacin 200mg twice daily was administered to 17 patients with pulmonary disorders, which necessitated surgery, during the preceding 48 hours and 200mg was administered 1 hour before the operation. During surgery, blood samples and specimens of healthy and diseased lung tissues were taken simultaneously. Ofloxacin levels were determined by HPLC. The mean values of the tissue concentration/plasma concentration ratio were 3.5 +/- 0.4 for the healthy tissue and 3.9 +/- 0.4 for the diseased tissue. These values reflected good penetration of ofloxacin into both healthy and atelectasic pulmonary parenchyma.