Initiating topical moxifloxacin one day before cataract surgery may increase fluoroquinolone-resistant bacteria

Researchers randomized patients scheduled for ocular surgery to receive either topical moxifloxacin 0.5% drops four times a day for one day (63 patients) or three days (57 patients) preoperatively to compare selection for fluoroquinolone-resistant bacteria between the two applications. There was a significant increase in fluoroquinolone-resistant bacteria in the one-day group, ranging from 13 percent to 67 percent for all fluoroquinolones except gatifloxacin (P<.05). Resistance to gentamicin and tobramycin also increased significantly. Patients in the three-day group showed no differences in bacterial resistance rates to any antibiotic agent tested.