The in vitro bactericidal effects of therapeutic concentrations of levofloxacin (LVFX) on clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis were assessed. Starting from 10(7) CFU/ml, the bacterial count was determined serially during the exposure to LVFX present at concentrations automatically simulated to its clinically achievable urinary levels at the recommended dosage (100 mg 3 times daily). An isolate of P. aeruginosa for which the MIC of LVFX was 16 microgram/ml was completely eradicated after 10 h of exposure to LVFX. On the other hand, 40 h of exposure to LVFX were required for complete eradication of an isolate of E. faecalis with equal susceptibility, although the bacterial count was rapidly reduced to 10(2) CFU/ml in the early phase of the exposure. It was concluded that LVFX exerts a more potent bactericidal effect on P. aeruginosa than on E. faecalis despite a similar susceptibility of these organisms to LVFX.