Gallium reactivates first and second generation quinolone antibiotics towards drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae

Herein, we report on a series of homoleptic [GaL3] and heteroleptic organometallic [GaMe2L] complexes of inactive quinolone antibiotics; nalidixic acid, oxolinic acid and norfloxacin with their antibacterial activity (MIC 0.024-0.781 mu M) towards four multi-drug resistant strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae through complexation to gallium.

Automated summary

In this study, a series of organometallic complexes of inactive quinolone antibiotics, nalidixic acid, oxolinic acid and norfloxacin, with gallium as the central metal ion, were investigated. These complexes exhibited antibacterial activity against four multi-drug resistant strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 0.024 to 0.781 μM.