Levofloxacin Spectrum: What Kind of Bacteria Does Levofloxacin Treat
Levofloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic widely used to cure bacterial infections, belonging to a class of antibiotics called Fluoroquinolones.
Effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, Levofloxacin treats many infections like Respiratory Tract Infections (like Pneumonia), Sinusitis, and UTIs.
Knowing the different types of bacteria that Levofloxacin kills plays a crucial role in determining its use in treatment and dosage.
Let us take a look at what kind of bacteria does Levofloxacin treat and its underlying mechanism.
What bacteria does Levofloxacin treat
Levofloxacin is used to treat both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
The Gram-positive bacteria that Levofloxacin can treat include:
- Listeria monocytogenes
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Staphylococcus epidermidis
- Enterococcus faecalis
Levofloxacin can treat the following Gram-negative bacteria:
- Escherichia coli
- Haemophilus influenzae
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Proteus mirabilis
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Levofloxacin is an important drug, especially in cases dealing with bacteria resistant to other antibiotics.
How does Levofloxacin kill bacteria
Levofloxacin belongs to an important class of antibiotics called Fluoroquinolones.
Most Fluoroquinolones interfere with the bacteria’s DNA metabolism, thus preventing DNA replication, repair, and transcription.
The interference causes the bacterial cells to stop growing and eventually die.
Levofloxacin has an excellent absorption rate that helps the antibiotics quickly reach the infection site via the bloodstream and start its effects on the bacteria.
All of these properties combined make Levofloxacin an ideal antibiotic for treating moderate to serious bacterial infections in the body.
Does Levofloxacin kill good bacteria
Like all other antibiotics, Levofloxacin also affects the beneficial bacteria in our body, like the gut microorganisms.
A study found that Levofloxacin decreased the diversity of gut microbes by 25% after use in patients.
However, it is a temporary side effect, and the bacterial population soon increases to its present level after stopping Levofloxacin treatment.
What to take after Levofloxacin to build good bacteria
Fortunately, there are easy steps to build up the population of beneficial bacterial in your body by following a few simple steps:
- Consumption of probiotic foods like yogurt, kimchi, buttermilk, and kombucha
- Consuming special foods called prebiotics, which are high in fiber, like whole grains, bananas, artichokes, and soybeans that act as food for good bacteria
- Avoiding processed foods high in sugar and fats that can disrupt the gut microbes
- Getting enough rest and exercise
The good bacteria in your body are extremely important as they help to prevent future infections from foreign pathogens.
Gut microbes also produce several nutrients, such as vitamin K, folate, and biotin, necessary for good health.
If you notice symptoms of Levofloxacin side effects like irregular heartbeat, nausea, and tendon pain, seek medical help immediately.
What bacteria is resistant to Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin
Most bacteria resistant to Levofloxacin belong to the genus Streptococcus Haemophilus, Bordetella, Staphylococcus, and Corynebacterium.
While most bacteria from the genus Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Corynebacterium are Gram-positive, Haemophilus and Bordetella are Gram-negative.
Belonging to the same category as Fluoroquinolones, Ciprofloxacin is another antibiotic very similar to Levofloxacin.
Some Ciprofloxacin-resistant bacteria include Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococci, and Bacillus anthracis.
However, most of these bacteria are the major causes of Urinary Tract Infections.
Thus, Levofloxacin is a better antibiotic than Ciprofloxacin when treating resistant bacterial infections.
Takeaway
Levofloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that belongs to the Fluoroquinolones group.
Both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria are affected by Levofloxacin.
The antibiotics disrupt the DNA of bacteria, thus preventing their growth.
Certain genera of bacteria like Streptococcus and Staphylococcus are resistant to Levofloxacin medication.
Levofloxacin administration also kills several beneficial bacteria that can be recovered by prebiotics and probiotics consumption.
Understanding “Which bacteria Levofloxacin treats?” helps you make informed decisions about your treatment, ensuring its effectiveness.
This knowledge can be pivotal in the recovery journey and lead to more successful outcomes when combating bacterial infections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What bacteria is killed by Levofloxacin?
Levofloxacin kills Gram-negative (like Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-positive bacteria (like Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae), which cause several infections like respiratory infections, Urinary Tract Infections, and gastrointestinal disorders. Levofloxacin also can interfere with the gut beneficial bacteria and kill them during its course of medication.
Is Levofloxacin a very strong antibiotic?
Levofloxacin is a strong antibiotic usually reserved for treating extremely serious bacterial infections. It is highly effective against certain bacteria resistant to other antibiotics and has excellent bioavailability. All these factors make Levofloxacin a strong antibiotic.
Does Levofloxacin treat all infections?
No, Levofloxacin only treats bacterial infections. It cannot treat fungal or viral infections. Even among bacteria, Levofloxacin is effective against some species, and many genera resist Levofloxacin.
How does Levofloxacin work?
Levofloxacin works by interfering with the DNA of bacteria, making them unable to replicate, repair, or transcribe their DNA, which stops their growth. This condition ultimately kills the bacterial cells and cures the source of infection.
WowRx uses only high-quality sources while writing our articles. Please read our content information policy to know more about how we keep our content reliable and trustworthy.
