Fluoroquinolone treatment of community-acquired pneumonia: a meta-analysis.

Objective: To determine the role of newer fluoroquinolones (FQs) for adults with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) whose level of illness allows treatment with an oral antibiotic.

Methods: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing a macrolide, beta-lactam, or doxycycline antibiotic with a newer oral FQ for the treatment of CAP.

Results: Patients (5118), most of whom were <60 years of age and free of coexisting diseases, were enrolled in 13 studies comparing an oral macrolide or beta-lactam antibiotic with an FQ for the treatment of CAP.