Use of ofloxacin in prevention and treatment of secondary infections in hematological malignancies.

We evaluated the effectiveness of ofloxacin (OFX) administered for prophylactic purposes during 77 episodes of neutropenia (less than 500/mm3) in 54 patients with hematological malignancies and to combat infection in 17 patients with both hematological malignancies and secondary infections. The prophylactic effect of OFX was demonstrated by the absence of febrile episodes in 73.3% of patients during the neutropenic phase. Of 16 patients who developed secondary infections, 13 showed good responses with other antibiotics. The overall efficacy rate of OFX in secondary infections was 64.7%. Although 4 patients developed elevated SGOT and SGPT levels and 1 showed an elevated BUN level, OFX was generally well tolerated.