Tissue concentrations after a single-dose, orally administered ofloxacin in patients with diabetic foot infections

We studied the penetration of orally administered ofloxacin at the site of diabetes-related foot infections in patients with a planned debridement of the lesion. A total of nine patients received 800 mg of oral ofloxacin 120 to 150 minutes before surgery. During surgery, vital margin tissue and a serum sample were obtained. Serum and tissue concentrations of ofloxacin were measured. From seven patients sufficient amounts of tissue were obtained. Mean serum concentration was 7.0 +/- 3.5 mg/liter; mean tissue concentrations was 11.5 +/- 8.4 mg/kg. Mean serum and tissue concentrations exceed the minimal inhibitory concentration, (MIG,,) of commonly involved pathogens. This indicates that orally administered ofloxacin can be an effective treatment for infected diabetic foot lesions.