The efficacy and safety of ciprofloxacin 500 mg bd for 28 days were assessed in 65 adult males with symptomatic bacterial prostatitis, from eight centres in Germany. Urine and prostatic secretions were obtained for culture. Clinical signs and symptoms were evaluated at 12-18 days during treatment, end of treatment (4-9 days post-treatment), and 1, 3, 6 and 9 months post-treatment. Safety was monitored during and at the end of treatment. E. coli was the most frequent pathogen causing infection (35/62) and Enterococcus faecalis the second most frequent (13/62). The combined bacteriological response by patient determined at return visits 4-9 days post and 1 month post-treatment, respectively, was eradication 48/54 (88.9%), persistence 3/54 (5.6%), eradication with recurrence 1/54 (1.9%) and eradication with reinfection 2/54 (3.7%). The clinical response at 1 month post-treatment was resolution 53/54 (98.1%) and 1/54 (1.9%) failure. The rates for continued eradication in the extended follow-up were 32/39 (82.1%) after 3 months, 26/34 (76.4%) after 6 months and 13/22 (59.1%) after 9 months. Nineteen patients experienced at least one adverse event. In two patients the trial was prematurely discontinued due to adverse events. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. and International Society of Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.