Evaluation of azithromycin, trovafloxacin and grepafloxacin as prophylaxis for experimental murine melioidosis.

The efficacies of the azalide azithromycin and the fluoroquinolones trovafloxacin and grepafloxacin for pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis of infection with high or low challenge doses of Burkholderia pseudomallei strain 576 were assessed in an experimental mouse model. Trovafloxacin and grepafloxacin afforded significant levels of protection, whereas azithromycin was ineffective and potentially detrimental. Overall, the data suggest that some fluoroquinolones may have potential utility in prophylaxis of melioidosis and suggest that azithromycin would not be effective in prophylaxis of B. pseudomallei infection.