Time to reconsider moxifloxacin anti-anaerobic activity?

Abstract

Large data on moxifloxacin activity on anaerobes are old. Moxifloxacin is often used for empiric therapy therefore the knowledge of current epidemiologic data is fundamental. We analyzed 69 anaerobic strains, from a recent multicenter Italian study, for moxifloxacin susceptibility. Using EUCAST criteria 81% of Bacteroides spp. and 48% of anaerobes other than Bacteroides were resistant to moxifloxacin. Using CLSI criteria moxifloxacin resistance rates decrease to 35% for all anaerobes, and to 41% for Bacteroides spp. We reported an alarming increase in moxifloxacin resistance among anaerobes in Italy.

Keywords:

• Anaerobe
• anaerobic
• moxifloxacin
• testing
• Italy
• resistance

Disclosure statement

The authors state that they have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Additional information

Funding

No external funding was obtained for this article; all authors take full responsibility for the content.

Notes on contributors

Luigi Principe

Luigi Principe is a senior microbiologist at Crotone Hospital, Italy. His research interests focus on multidrug-resistant microorganisms.

Gianfranco Sanson

Gianfranco Sanson is Associate Professor in General, Clinical and Pediatric Nursing. His expertise focuses on clinical research, nutrition and scientific methodology.

Roberto Luzzati

Roberto Luzzati is Professor in Infectious Diseases at Trieste University, Italy. His research interests focus on fungal infections and nosocomial bacterial infections.

Richard Aschbacher

Richard Aschbacher is a senior microbiologist at Bolzano Hospital, Italy. He has microbiology and research expertise on anaerobic bacteria.

Elisabetta Pagani

Elisabetta Pagani is the Head of Microbiology and Virology Laboratory of Bolzano Hospital, Italy. She has microbiology and research expertise on multidrug resistant bacteria.

Francesco Luzzaro

Francesco Luzzaro is a senior microbiologist and the Head of the Clinical Microbiology and Virology Unit of Lecco Hospital, Italy. He has expertise on antimicrobial resistance and hospital infections.

Stefano Di Bella

Stefano Di Bella is Professor in Infectious Diseases at Trieste University, Italy. He has clinical and research expertise on gastrointestinal infections.