Overview

A Study of the Effectiness and Safety of Levofloxacin in Treating Children With a Rapid and Severe Onset of Infection and Inflammation of the Middle Ear That is Difficult to Treat

Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2003-07-01
Target enrollment:
0
Participant gender:
All
Summary
The purpose of the study is to assess the rate of elimination of bacteria by levofloxacin in middle ear fluid of children with a rapid and severe onset of infection and inflammation of the middle ear who are at high risk for infections that are difficult to treat.
Phase:
Phase 3
Accepts Healthy Volunteers?
No
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C.
Treatments:
Levofloxacin
Ofloxacin
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients with signs and symptoms of rapid onset of severe infection of the middle ear
defined as: either fluid draining from the middle ear (with a minimum of 2 of the
following: decreased or absent eardrum mobility seen on physical examination

- yellow or white discoloration of the eardrum

- opaque eardrum) and (a minimum of 1 of the following: ear pain within 24 hours of the
start of the study including the child's unexpected tugging or rubbing of the ear

- marked redness of the eardrum

- distinct fullness or bulging of the eardrum) or rapid onset of severe drainage of pus
from the external ear lasting less than 48 hours and not due to inflammation of the
external ear

- At risk for difficult-to-treat middle ear infection defined as having a minimum of 1
of the following: recurrent middle ear infection (defined as >=3 episodes, including
the current episode, of rapid onset of rapid onset of severe middle ear infection
during the 6 months before the study or >=4 episodes, including the current episode,
of rapid onset of rapid onset of severe middle ear infection during the year before
the study), persistent middle ear infection defined by signs and symptoms of rapid
onset of severe middle ear infection on the third day after starting any antibiotic
treatment (with the exception of amoxicillin/clavulanate that included >=90
milligrams/kilograms/day [mg/kg/day] of amoxicillin)

- Currently taking antibiotic medication to prevent middle ear infection (must be
discontinued when beginning the study)

- Completed treatment with an antibiotic intended to treat middle ear infection within
30 days before the start of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients with a history of a previous sensitivity or serious adverse reaction to the
type of antibiotic used in this study

- Tubes in place in the affected ear to allow drainage of fluid from the middle ear

- Requirement of antibiotic therapy that affects the whole body, other than the study
drug

- A serious bacterial infection in addition to middle ear infection that may interfere
with assessment of the patient's response to study medication

- Diagnosis of bacterial meningitis

- Abnormal kidney function, as determined by blood test (serum creatinine)

- History or presence of joint disease or disease of the tissues surrounding joints, or
any other signs or symptoms in muscles or bones that may make it difficult to evaluate
any future complaints concerning muscles or bones

- Chronic use of corticosteroids