Fluoroquinolones versus chloramphenicol in the therapy of typhoid fever: A clinical and microbiological study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of five fluoroquinolones: ofloxacin, pefloxacin, ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, and norfloxacin, when compared with chloramphenicol in the therapy of typhoid fever. One hundred fifty-six patients suffering from Salmonella typhi infection entered this open study. They were divided into six groups and randomly assigned. A wide microbiologic study was conducted to support the thesis that isolates of S typhi showing identical serological and biochemical characteristics, were a single clone, as a recent genetic work has proven. At the conclusion of treatment, the enoxacin and norfloxacin groups reported some nonresponders and patients with chronic enteric carrier state. Ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were more effective than chloramphenicol. No relapses or chronic enteric carrier states were reported in these two groups or the pefloxacin group but ofloxacin was more effective, with milder side effects.