In vitro comparison of E4868, a new trifluoroquinolone, with ciprofloxacin and temafloxacin tested against 5192 recent clinical isolates from five medical centers.

The in vitro activity of E4868 was compared with that of ciprofloxacin and temafloxacin in a multicenter study. More than 90% of Enterobacteriaceae and 82% of the 651 isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as > 95% of the oxacillin-susceptible staphylococci, 100% of the beta-hemolytic streptococci, and 76% of the enterococcal isolates were susceptible to E4868 (minimum inhibitory concentrations, < or = 2 micrograms/ml). E4868 was generally equivalent or slightly less active than ciprofloxacin against the Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas and more active against staphylococci and beta-hemolytic streptococci. The activity of E4868 was generally equivalent to or slightly greater than that of temafloxacin against all major groups of organisms.