Patients with acute bacterial sinusitis (ABS) who took Avelox® (moxifloxacin HCl) experienced a complete eradication of bacteria from their sinuses within three days

ROME, ITALY, July 5, 2005 - A new study released today at the 18th World Congress of International Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (IFOS) concludes that patients with acute bacterial sinusitis (ABS) who took Avelox® (moxifloxacin HCl) experienced a complete eradication of bacteria from their sinuses within three days.

The study - which was designed to mimic the real-world conditions of the physician's office - found that patients diagnosed with ABS had a significantly large proportion of bacteria (83.3%) eliminated from their sinuses within two days of taking Avelox. All bacteria were eradicated by the third day of treatment.

"Speed is a key treatment factor for a medical condition like acute bacterial sinusitis that is responsible for millions of lost days in productivity among Europeans each year," said Dr. Horatio Ariza, lead study author and Head of the Department of Infectious disease at Hospital Zonal General de Agudos "Mi Pueblo", Buenos Aires, Argentina. "This study shows that Avelox completely sterilizes the sinuses by the third day of treatment, providing a fast, effective solution to a painful and persistent problem."

When the body's defenses weaken or sinus drainage is blocked by a viral infection like the common cold, the resulting congestion allows these previously harmless bacteria to multiply and invade the sinuses, causing ABS. Acute Sinusits is one of the most prevalent conditions in general medical practice, affecting 1 - 5% of European adults annually.

Symptoms of ABS can be identical to those of a viral infection, although ABS is usually more severe and can last up to 30 days. In the United Kingdom alone, six million restricted working days are estimated to be a result of acute sinusitis every year. The number of missed worked days due to sinusitis in the United States has reached 12.5 million while that of restricted activity days is 58.7 million.

"By allowing ABS patients a faster recovery, Avelox can help people with sinusitis quickly resume their normal activities," adds Dr. Arzia.

About The Study
In this prospective open-label study, a total of 192 patients diagnosed with ABS were enrolled. They received 400 mg of Avelox once daily for 10 days. Of these, 42 could be evaluated based on 48 forms of bacteria identified during screening. The screening process included a middle meatus secretion sampling that was performed using nasal endoscopy to determine bacterial infection. The sampling procedure was repeated for three consecutive days after treatment started to determine bacterial eradication and persistence. The patients received Avelox treatment on the first day. By the second day, 83.3% of the types of bacteria were eradicated. On the third day, all types of bacteria were eliminated.

About Avelox
In Europe, Avelox tablets are approved to treat Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), except severe cases, Acute Bacterial Sinusitis (ABS), adequately diagnosed, and Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis (AECB).

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