Clinical study of NM441 in respiratory tract infection

NM441, a new prodrug type of quinolone antibiotic, was administered to 23 patients with respiratory tract infection, and its clinical efficacy, bacteriological efficacy, side effects and abnormal changes in laboratory findings were investigated in 22 cases. Twenty-two patients were studied and consisted of 3 cases of acute bronchitis, 11 of bacterial pneumonia, 4 of chronic bronchitis, 2 of brinchiectasis, 1 of secondary infection of pulmonary emphysema and 1 of mycoplasma pneumonia. Clinical efficacy was evaluated as excellent in 6 cases, good in 12, fair in 1 and poor in 3, and the efficacy rate was 81.8%. In bacteriological efficacy, a total of 5 strains, 3 of Haemophilus influenzae and 2 of Streptococcus pneumoniae, were isolated from 5 patients, and all of them were eradicated. Side effects were observed in 3 cases; 1 of discomfort in the mouth and diminished appetite, 1 of loose stool and 1 of dizziness. Abnormal changes in laboratory findings were observed in 3 cases; 2 of increase of eosinophil and 1 of mild elevation of GOT. We propose that NM441 is a useful drug for respiratory tract infections.