OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential spectrum of activity of two novel dual-action compounds with carboxamido bonds (CQ-397 and CQ-414; Laboratorios Aranda, San Rafael, Mexico) against human pathogens. METHODS: Approximately 800 Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic clinical bacteria were tested in vitro using the Mueller-Hinton broth microdilution method of the National Committee of Clinical Laboratory Standards. RESULTS: CQ-397 (cefamandole+enrofloxacin) and CQ-414 (cefamandole+norfloxacin) were equally potent against Enterobacteriaceae (MIC90 range, 0.06--0.5 microg/mL and 0.06--1 microg/mL, respectively). Citrobacter freundii (MIC90, 4 microg/mL) and Providencia spp. (MIC90, >32 microg/mL) exhibited elevated study drug MICs. Enterobacteriaceae resistant to fluoroquinolones generally remained resistant. CQ-397 and CQ-414 were active against Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (MIC90, 4 microg/mL) and oxacillin-susceptible staphylococci (MIC90, 0.25 microg/mL), but not oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MIC90, >32 microg/mL), Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC90, 8 microg/mL), and enterococci (MIC90s, 8 to >32 microg/mL). There was no difference in the dual-action drug activity (MIC90, 2 microg/mL) between penicillin-susceptible and -resistant pneumococci. Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis were very susceptible (MIC range, less-than-or-equal0.015--0.06 microg/mL) to both compounds. CONCLUSIONS: The activity of these novel dual-action compounds, formed from the bonding of older antimicrobials, warrants further investigation for potential human and/or animal health use, including toxicology and pharmacokinetics.
