Moxifloxacin in experimental Streptococcus pneumoniae cerebritis and meningitis

Rifampin, a protein synthesis inhibitor, reduced mortality in a mouse model of meningitis compared to bacteriolytic cephalosporin standard therapy. To assess whether moxifloxacin (known to cause a less rapid bacteriolysis than cephalosporins) can similarly reduce mortality, mice infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae by deep intracerebral injection were treated subcutaneously with either 200 mg/kg of moxifloxacin or ceftriaxone every 8 hours for 5 days (n=49 each). They were then observed for an additional 8 days. Overall mortalities were 35 and 29 in moxifloxacin- and ceftriaxone-treated mice, respectively (p=0.29). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis also revealed no statistically significant differences (p=0.32). Moxifloxacin failed to reduce mortality compared to cephalosporin standard therapy.