Recent advances in oxazolidinone antibacterial agent research

摘要

The oxazolidinone class of antibacterial agents, as exemplified by linezolid (Zyvox~(~R), Pharmacia Corp.), represents the first completely new class of antibacterial agents to achieve regulatory approval in over 30 years. Due to their potent activity against multi-drug resistant Gram-positive bacteria, discovery research in this area has flourished, with many pharmaceutical companies worldwide beginning research programmes. With the expanded research efforts, new understanding of the oxazolidinone structure-activity relationship has led to an increased spectrum of activity to include the fastidious Gram-negative pathogens Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. In addition, a deeper understanding of the toxicology, mechanism of action, and mechanism of resistance has emerged.