Comparision of in vitro antibacterial activity of cefoperazone and levofloxacin against different clinical isolates

Cefoperazone (a third generation cephalosporin) has effective in vitro activity against majority of pathogens. Levofloxacin (a flouroquinolone) is one which prescribed more due to its increased antibacterial activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and atypical bacteria. Microbial resistance to antibiotics is now prevalent and poses a serious clinical threat. An attempt has been made to evaluate sensitivity of cefoperazone and levofloxacin against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi. A total of 120 isolates were collected from different pathological laboratories and medical centers in Karachi, Pakistan. The above stated clinical isolates were extracted from urine/stool, skin, blood and sputum samples. Results show least resistance of levofloxacin as compared to cefoperazone against Escherichia coli (32.5% and 42.5%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (36% and 48%) while Staphylococcus aureus is still susceptible towards cefoperazone and least sensitive to levofloxacin by showing 26.6% and 50% resistance respectively. Study concluded that the prevalent pathogens are still susceptible towards levofloxacin and cefoperazone but the gradual increase in resistance is alarming to the general practice of prescribing antibiotic which require routine evaluation and surveillance to ensure the effectiveness of the antibacterial agents.