Antibiotic therapy for complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs) should provide broad-spectrum coverage both Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms. The PROMISE study compared the clinical and bacteriological efficacy and safety of moxifloxacin versus ertapenem for the treatment of cIAIs. This randomised, prospective, double-dummy, double-blind, multicentre trial was designed as a non-inferiority study. The safety and efficacy of 5-14 days of daily intravenous moxifloxacin (400mg) or ertapenem (1g) were compared in patients with cIAIs requiring surgery and parenteral antibiotic therapy. The primary and secondary endpoints included clinical and bacteriological responses at 21-28 days after the end of treatment (TOC), respectively. Of 830 enrolled patients, 699 were efficacy valid. Moxifloxacin was non-inferior to ertapenem regarding clinical success [89.5% (315/352) versus 93.4% (324/347); 95% confidence interval (CI) -7.9%, 0.4%]. There were no significant differences between groups for any of the primary causes or types of cIAI regarding clinical response. Bacteriological success was achieved in 86.5% (257/297) of moxifloxacin-treated patients and 90.2% (249/276) of ertapenem-treated patients (95% CI -9.0%, 1.5%). There were no major differences between groups regarding the frequency or types of organisms eradicated. The incidence of adverse events (AEs) was higher with moxifloxacin than ertapenem (P=0.039), however a similar number of drug-related AEs was seen in each group (P=1.000). Wound infections, nausea and increased lipase were the most commonly reported AEs with both agents. The results show that moxifloxacin is a valuable treatment option for a range of community-acquired cIAIs with mild-to-moderate severity.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00492726.
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