DUAL-ACTION CEPHALOSPORINS INCORPORATING A 3'-TERTIARY-AMINE-LINKED QUINOLONE

We have previously reported that linking quinolones to the cephalospor in 3'-position through an ester bond, a carbamate function, or a bond through a quaternary nitrogen produced cephalosporins with a dual mode of antibacterial action. We now describe a new class of dual-action c ephalosporins, with greater chemical stability than those previously r eported, in which the basic nitrogen of ciprofloxacin is bonded direct ly to the 3'-cephalosporin position, i.e., the two moieties are linked through a tertiary amine function. These compounds have demonstrated potent activity against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-neg ative bacteria, including P-lactam-resistant strains.