In vitro activity of gemifloxacin (SB-265805) compared with 14 other antimicrobials against intestinal pathogens

We studied the in vitro activity of gemifloxacin (SB-265805) and 14 compara tor antimicrobials against 288 recent isolates of enteropathogenic bacteria (106 Salmonella spp., 32 Hafnia alvei, 22 Yersinia enterocolitica, 21 Shig ella spp., 16 Aeromonas spp. and 91 Campylobacter jejuni). Gemifloxacin, th e other fluoroquinotones and cefotaxime were very active against all microo rganisms tested except for C. jejuni. Seventy-seven per cent of isolates of C. jejuni were inhibited by erythromycin less than or equal to 0.5 mg/L. O nly one strain of C. jejuni was highly resistant to this antimicrobial agen t. Of the compounds tested, gentamicin was the most active in vitro. The in vitro activity of the other antibiotics tested was variable. A quinolone c ould be a good choice for treating gastrointestinal infections when antimic robial therapy is indicated. For C. jejuni, another antibiotic such as eryt hromycin should be considered.