Oral rifampin plus levofloxacin for treatment of chronic orthopedic implant-related infections

[Objective]To examine the effect and safety of the combination of rifampin plus levofloxacin given orally for treating chronic orthopedic implant-related infections. [Methods]From March 2006 to December 2007,13 patients with chronic orthopedic implant-related infections were treated orally with rifampin ,600 mg/day,plus levofloxacin,600mg/day.The study group included 6 males and 7 females, with average age of 51.6 years (range, 17~75 years).During treatment,clinical follow-up was performed, including blood and differential counts ,erythrocyte sedimentation rate , and hepatic enzyme levels,C-reactive protein levels,and radiological data.Cure was defined as the absence of clinical signs and symptoms of infection (fever,local pain,redness,warmth,sinus tract infection ),ESR20 mm/h and CRP5 mg/l, and the absence of radiological signs of loosening、pseudoarthrosis(in case of fixation device ),or dislocation of the artificial joint at the final follow-up visit 24 moths after start of the treatment .Treatment failure was defined as the absence of cure ,and relapse was defined as the reappearance of infection caused by the same microorganism that caused the original infection, regardless of the timing of this secondary infection,or unexplained high C-reactive protein level (50 mg/l) without microbiological documentation of infection.[Results]Among 13 patients included in the study and evaluable for safety, one patient had gastrointestinal side effects and was not evaluable for treatment effectiveness. Twelve patients with chronic orthopedic implant-related infections , antibiotics were administrated orally for a total of 6 months . Two patients, on whom pseudoarthrosis presented, were treated with autologous bone graft and internal fixation subsequently. Ten of 12 patients with chronic orthopedic implant-related infections had successful outcomes . Those rates were determined after a post-treatment follow-up of 6 to 27 months (average, 24 months ).The overall success rate was 83.3% among 12 patients.Ten cases had been followed up,and no case had infection recurrence.[Conclusion]With nutrition support, the combination of rifampin plus levofloxacin given orally for treating chronic orthopedic implant-related infections are effective methods.