Antimicrobial activity of bitespiramycin, a new genetically engineered macrolide.

The antimicrobial activity of bitespiramycin (BT) against Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp), Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu), and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp), was compared with those of azithromycin (AZM) and acetylspiramycin (AT-SP) in vitro. Furthermore, the anti-Mp activities of BT and AZM were evaluated in a hamster model. The activities of BT in vitro were similar to those of AZM but were more effective than those of AT-SP. BT effectively inhibited Mp infection at a dose of 200mg/kg in a hamster model.