Clinical utility of DNA gyrase inhibitors.

Quinolone antibiotics provide potentially important therapy for many infections. These DNA gyrase inhibitors are established as excellent therapy of urinary infections and of diarrheal disease. As reviewed, the compounds have important use in respiratory, skin-structure and bone infections. It is possible that with more extensive use these drugs will show adverse reactions which to date are unknown. A number of other agents in this class with different pharmacological and improved anti-gram-positive and anti-anaerobic activity are in development. These agents will be used increasingly in medicine because of their in vitro activity, pharmacology, and cost-saving by oral therapy.