Pseudomonas aeruginosa in vitro corneal isolate sensitivity to ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and trovafloxacin: A comparative study

PURPOSE: To compare sensitivity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa corneal isolates to ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and trovafloxacin. METHODS: Sensitivities of P. aeruginosa corneal isolates to each antibiotic from the periods 1985 to 1987 (n = 32) and 1995 to 1999 (n = 85) were evaluated in vitro with E tests (AB Biodisk; Remel, Lenexa, Kansas). RESULTS: Overall, the percent of P. aeruginosa corneal isolates sensitive in vitro to ofloxacin (106/117, 90.6%) was significantly less than to ciprofloxacin (113/117, 96.6%, P = .016) and trovafloxacin (113/117, 96.6%, P = .016). We observed trends of decreasing sensitivity to ciprofloxacin and trovafloxacin, which were not statistically significant. Sensitivity to ofloxacin remained unchanged; however, sensitivity to ofloxacin was always less than sensitivity to ciprofloxacin and trovafloxacin. CONCLUSION: Although in vitro susceptibilities may not correlate with in vivo efficacy, our data suggest that ciprofloxacin and trovafloxacin are superior to ofloxacin in the treatment of P. aeruginosa keratitis.