Sitafloxacin

DescriptionSitafloxacin (Trade name: Gracevit in Japan) belongs to a new generation, broad-spectrum oral fluoroquinolone antibiotics. It is highly active against various kinds of gram-negative, gram-positive and anaerobic clinical isolates, even including strains that are resistant to other kinds of fluoroquinolone antibiotics. It has been listed in Japan for the treatment of respiratory and urinary tract infections. It also shows potential for the treatment of Buruli ulcer. Its mechanism of action is through inhibiting the Topoisomerase II ligase domain of bacteria, causing DNA fragmentation to inhibit the DNA synthesis of bacteria.

DescriptionSitafloxacin hydrate is the newest member (fourth generation) of the fluoroquinolone family of antibiotics that exhibits broad spectrum activity against many Gram-positive, Gramnegative, and anaerobic clinical isolates, including strains resistant to other fluoroquinolones. Since the launch of the first fluoroquinolone norfloxacin (patented in 1978), 20 other versions have made it to market with ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin experiencing the most prevalent usage. The mechanism of action involves inhibition of bacterial type II topoisomerases, both DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. By inhibiting these enzymes and preventing DNA supercoiling, cell division is disrupted leading to cell death. In Gram-negative bacteria, the primary target appears to be gyrase, whereas topoisomerase IV is involved in Gram-positive bacteria. Dual inhibition is attractive for widespread activity and avoidance of resistance as both encoding genes would have to acquire mutations.

Antibacterial (DNA-gyrase inhibitor).