The Rise, Fall, and Rethink of (Fluoro)quinolones: A Quick Rundown

Antibiotics have revolutionized medicine, with (fluoro)quinolones emerging as one of the most impactful classes of antibacterial agents. Since their introduction, four generations of (fluoro)quinolones have been developed, demonstrating a broad spectrum of activity, favourable pharmacokinetics, and...

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Main Authors: Célia Fortuna Rodrigues, Francisco Silva
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Pathogens
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/6/525
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author Célia Fortuna Rodrigues
Francisco Silva
author_facet Célia Fortuna Rodrigues
Francisco Silva
author_sort Célia Fortuna Rodrigues
collection DOAJ
description Antibiotics have revolutionized medicine, with (fluoro)quinolones emerging as one of the most impactful classes of antibacterial agents. Since their introduction, four generations of (fluoro)quinolones have been developed, demonstrating a broad spectrum of activity, favourable pharmacokinetics, and clinical efficacy. However, the rise of multidrug-resistant pathogens has posed significant challenges to their continued effectiveness, particularly in healthcare settings. Among the main resistant species, <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, particularly methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA), <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>, <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. (<i>E. faecium</i> and <i>E. faecalis</i>), <i>Campylobacter</i> spp., and <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i> are the most important. This critical literature review provides an updated perspective on (fluoro)quinolones (old and new), encompassing their spectrum of activity, pharmacokinetics, mechanisms of resistance, and the role of antimicrobial stewardship in preserving their utility, to address the growing threat of resistance.
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spelling doaj-art-c011e9e61d924b10b87edd2f21285bb92025-06-25T14:16:53ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172025-05-0114652510.3390/pathogens14060525The Rise, Fall, and Rethink of (Fluoro)quinolones: A Quick RundownCélia Fortuna Rodrigues0Francisco Silva1Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences—CESPU (IUCS-CESPU), 4585-116 Gandra PRD, PortugalDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Institute of Health Sciences—CESPU (IUCS-CESPU), 4585-116 Gandra PRD, PortugalAntibiotics have revolutionized medicine, with (fluoro)quinolones emerging as one of the most impactful classes of antibacterial agents. Since their introduction, four generations of (fluoro)quinolones have been developed, demonstrating a broad spectrum of activity, favourable pharmacokinetics, and clinical efficacy. However, the rise of multidrug-resistant pathogens has posed significant challenges to their continued effectiveness, particularly in healthcare settings. Among the main resistant species, <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, particularly methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA), <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>, <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. (<i>E. faecium</i> and <i>E. faecalis</i>), <i>Campylobacter</i> spp., and <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i> are the most important. This critical literature review provides an updated perspective on (fluoro)quinolones (old and new), encompassing their spectrum of activity, pharmacokinetics, mechanisms of resistance, and the role of antimicrobial stewardship in preserving their utility, to address the growing threat of resistance.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/6/525quinolonesresistance to antimicrobials(fluoro)quinolonespharmacokineticsspectrum of activity
spellingShingle Célia Fortuna Rodrigues
Francisco Silva
The Rise, Fall, and Rethink of (Fluoro)quinolones: A Quick Rundown
Pathogens
quinolones
resistance to antimicrobials
(fluoro)quinolones
pharmacokinetics
spectrum of activity
title The Rise, Fall, and Rethink of (Fluoro)quinolones: A Quick Rundown
title_full The Rise, Fall, and Rethink of (Fluoro)quinolones: A Quick Rundown
title_fullStr The Rise, Fall, and Rethink of (Fluoro)quinolones: A Quick Rundown
title_full_unstemmed The Rise, Fall, and Rethink of (Fluoro)quinolones: A Quick Rundown
title_short The Rise, Fall, and Rethink of (Fluoro)quinolones: A Quick Rundown
title_sort rise fall and rethink of fluoro quinolones a quick rundown
topic quinolones
resistance to antimicrobials
(fluoro)quinolones
pharmacokinetics
spectrum of activity
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/6/525
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