Ceforanide is a second-generation cephalosporin with antibacterial properties. It is similar to cefamandole and cefonicid with regard to its superiority in vitro to 'first generation' cephalosporins against many species of Enterobacteriaceae and H. influenzae. It can be used in susceptibility testing applications.
| Mechanism of Action | β-lactams interfere with penicillin binding protein (PBP) activity involved in the final phase of peptidoglycan synthesis. PBPs catalyze a pentaglycine crosslink between alanine and lysine residues providing additional strength to the cell wall. Without a pentaglycine crosslink, the integrity of the cell wall is severely compromised and ultimately leads to cell lysis and death. Resistance to β-lactams is commonly due to cells containing plasmid-encoded β-lactamases. | |
| Spectrum | Ceforanide had broad-spectrum in vitro antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative activity and its spectra of activity closely resembles cefamandole but unlike cefamandole it is less active against Gram-positive bacteria. | Enterobacter| 1 － >64|| Escherichia coli (animal health isolate)| 1 － >64|| Klebsiella| 1 － 32|| |
| Microbiology Applications | Ceforanide is resistant to hydrolysis by the type IIa B-lactamase and the penicillinase of S. aureus. | |
| Molecular Formula | C20H21N7O6S2 | |
| References |
Barriere SL and Mills J (1982) Ceforanide: Antibacterial activity, pharmacology, and clinical efficacy. Pharmacother. 2(6):322-327 PMID 6762529 Campoli-Richards DM, Lackner TE, Monk JP (1987) Ceforanide. A review of its antibacterial activity, pharmacokinetic properties and clinical efficacy. Drugs. 34(4):411-437 PMID 3315624 Carrizosa J, Kobasa WD, Kaye D. Comparison of ceforanide, cefazolin, methicillin, and nafcillin in Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis therapy in rabbits. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1980 Oct;18(4):562-5. doi: 10.1128/AAC.18.4.562. PMID: 7447418; PMCID: PMC284049 |