Chapter 10. Synthetic Antibacterial Agents

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the development and clinical studies of synthetic antibacterial agents. Synthetic efforts dealt mainly with the modification of existing drugs with the development of several promising leads. A multiple-drug therapeutic regimen has been advocated for the treatment of urinary tract infections, chronic bronchitis, and tuberculosis. A clinical evaluation of the newer long-acting sulfonamides yielded generally favorable results. Sulfasymazine gave up to 75% cures in recurrent urinary tract infections. Sulfalene IV showed excellent results in pediatric practice with conditions treated including cystitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and purulent otitis. The use of sulfalene IV in the treatment of urinary tract infection, rheumatic disease, and some pharmacokinetic aspects are discussed. Sulformethoxine V has been compared to other commercially available sulfonamides. It is distinguished by very slow elimination from plasma due probably to a high rate of tubular reabsorbtion. A linear relationship was observed between bacteriostatic activity and modified Hammett substituent parameters for a series of meta- and para-substituted N -phenyl sulfanilamides.