Safety and efficacy of colistin and fluoroquinolone in neonatal persistent late-onset sepsis

Growing resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics for the treatment of late-onset sepsis (LOS) in premature infants has led physicians to use antibiotics that are not well studied in neonatal populations. We aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of colistin and fluoroquinolone for the treatment of persistent LOS. We retrospectively reviewed infants with gram-negative LOS, who received either colistin or fluoroquinolone therapy, to determine if there was a significant difference in kidney and liver function tests and electrolyte levels before, during, and at the end of the treatment. Infants who received colistin and fluoroquinolone had 17 and 34 positive cultures with gram-negative organisms, respectively. Multi-drug resistant organisms were more common in infants who received colistin than in those who received fluoroquinolone. Microbiological clearance was found to be higher in infants treated with fluoroquinolone than in those treated with colistin. In both the groups, the median levels of kidney and liver function tests and electrolytes showed a significant increase during the treatment. The prescription of colistin and fluoroquinolones should be reserved for cases with no other safe and effective alternatives.