title: Review of the in vitro activity of gemifloxacin against gram-positive and gram-negative anaerobic pathogens.
abstract: Published reports on the in vitro activity of gemifloxacin mesylate (SB 265805), a new fluoronaphthyridone, against anaerobic pathogens are reviewed here. The studies used a variety of media, inocula and antimicrobial agents. Using a proposed breakpoint of 0.5 mg/L, these studies showed that gemifloxacin had generally higher potency against Gram-positive anaerobes (Clostridium perfringens, all Peptostreptococcus spp.) and fusobacteria (Fusobacterium nucleatum, Fusobacterium necrophorum) and moderate but variable potency against Gram-negative anaerobes. Bacteroides stercoris, Bacteroides tectum and many Bacteroides fragilis isolates were inhibited by concentrations of < or =0.5 mg/L, while the other species of the B. fragilis group required higher concentrations for inhibition. Species variability was evident: Porphyromonas asaccharolytica, Porphyromonas canoris, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Porphyromonas macaccae, Prevotella heparinolytica and Prevotella intermedia were susceptible to 0.5 mg/L of gemifloxacin while most other Porphyromonas and Prevotella spp. were not. These data suggest that gemifloxacin may have a clinical role in the treatment of certain dental, head and neck and pleuropulmonary infections in which Gram-positive anaerobes, fusobacteria and some Prevotella and Porphyromonas spp. may predominate.
authors.affiliation: R. M. Alden Research Laboratory, Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, CA 90494, USA. ejcgmd@aol.com
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Goldstein
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001439:Bacteroides / Q000187:drug effects; D003470:Culture Media; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D005673:Fusobacterium / Q000187:drug effects; D000077735:Gemifloxacin; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009287:Naphthyridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017861:Porphyromonas / Q000187:drug effects; D018720:Prevotella / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D003470:Culture Media; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D009287:Naphthyridines; D000077735:Gemifloxacin