Efficacy of moxifloxacin in the treatment of bronchial colonisation in COPD

This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of moxifloxacin for the eradication of bacterial colonisation of the airways in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Out of 119 stable patients with COPD screened, 40 (mean age 69 yrs, mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s 50% predicted) were colonised with potentially pathogenic microorganisms (PPMs) and were included in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with moxifloxacin 400 mg daily for 5 days. Eradication rates were 75% with moxifloxacin and 30% with placebo at 2 weeks (p=0.01). Bacterial persistence at 8 weeks was still higher (not significantly) in the placebo arm (five (25%) out of 20 versus one (5%) out of 20; p=0.18). The frequencies of acquisition of a new PPM were high and similar in both treatment groups; consequently, the prevalence of colonisation at 8 weeks was also similar between treatment arms. No difference was found in the number of patients with exacerbations during the 5-month follow-up. Only the acquisition of a new PPM during follow-up showed a statistically significant relationship with occurrence of an exacerbation. Moxifloxacin was effective in eradicating PPMs in patients with positive sputum cultures. However, most patients were recolonised after 8 weeks of follow-up. Acquisition of a new strain of bacteria was associated with an increased risk of developing an exacerbation. Copyright©ERS Journals Ltd 2009.