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

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