the present invention provides , among other things , methods for using a composition comprising a gemifloxacin compound against maxillary sinus pathogenic bacteria , especially maxillary sinus strains of s . aureus , s . pneumoniae , haemophilus spp ., m . catarrhalis , certain anaerobic strains , non - fermentative gram negative bacilli , neisseria meningitidis and β - haemolytic streptococcus . as used herein “ gemifloxacin compound ( s )” means a compound having antibacterial activity described in patent application pct / kr98 / 00051 published as wo 98 / 42705 , or patent application ep 688772 . this invention was based , in part , on analyses evaluating the comparative activity of gemifloxacin against various maxillary sinus pathogens . an objective of these analyses was to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations ( herein “ mic ”) of gemifloxacin , ciprofloxacin , ofloxacin , levofloxacin , trovafloxacin , grepafloxacin , moxifloxacin , sparfloxacin , amoxycillin and amoxycillin / clavulanic acid against a variety of strains such as haemophilus spp . s . pneumoniae and moraxella catarrhalis , isolated recently from acute or chronic maxillary sinus infections . gemifloxacin was compared to ciprofloxacin , ofloxacin , levofloxacin , trovafloxacin , grepafloxacin , moxifloxacin , sparfloxacin , amoxycillin and amoxycillin / clavulanic acid against a total of more than 250 recent isolates from acute or chronic maxillary sinusitis . mics were determined by agar dilution techniques using standard nccls methodology . the activity of gemifloxacin ( mic 90 0 . 06 mg / l ) was superior to ciprofloxacin , ofloxacin , levofloxacin , grepafloxacin , moxifloxacin and sparfloxacin ( mic 90 ≧ 0 . 25 mg / l ) against the streptococcus pneumoniae isolates tested . against moraxella catarrhalis and haemophilus influenzae , gemifloxacin and grepafloxacin ( mic 90 ≧ 0 . 02 mg \ l ) were the most active antimicrobial agents tested . against staphylococcus aureus , gemifloxacin , trovafloxacin and moxifloxacin were more active ( mic 90 0 . 06 mg \ l ) than ciprofloxacin amoxycillin and amoxycillin / clavulanic acid ( mic 90 ≧ 1 mg \ l ). a similar activity ( mic 90 0 . 25 mg \ l ) was observed with gemifloxacin and moxifloxacin against anaerobic strains tested . the activity of gemifloxacin was similar to ofloxacin , trovafloxacin , moxifloxacin and sparfloxacin ( mic 90 0 . 5 mg / l ) against various other strains such as some enterobacteriaceae or non - fermentative gram negative bacilli . combined with favourable pharmacokinetics in humans , gemifloxacin should be a valuable oral compound for the treatment of acute or chronic sinusitis caused by a range of respiratory pathogens , including those resistant to usual oral therapy . the susceptibility results are presented in tables 2 - 5 . these analyses showed that gemifloxacin is appreciably more potent than most fluoroquinolones against many gram positive organisms , including streptococcus pneumoniae , streptococcus pyogenes and methicillin - resistant staphylococcus spp . gemifloxacin retains activity against a range of gram negative bacilli , including those resistant to other antimicrobial agents . it also has potent activity against various anaerobic and atypical respiratory pathogens , such as legionella pneumophila , mycoplasma spp . and chlamydia spp . against s . pneumoniae , gemifloxacin activity ( mic 90 0 . 06 mg / l ) was similar to trovafloxacin , but superior to ciprofloxacin , ofloxacin , levofloxacin and sparfloxacin ( mic 90 & lt ; 0 . 5 mg / l ) ( table 2 ). against s . aureus sinus pathogens , gemifloxacin , moxifloxacin , trovafloxacin ( mic 90 0 . 06 mg / l ) and sparfloxacin ( mic 90 0 . 12 mg / l ) were the most active compounds tested . ciprofloxacin , amoxycillin ( mic 90 1 mg / l ) and amoxycillin / clavulanic acid ( mic 90 2 mg / l ) were less active against s . aureus ( table 2 ). [ 0019 ] h . influenzae strains were susceptible to gemifloxacin at a mic 90 of ≦ 0 . 02 mg / l ( table 3 ). this activity was significantly superior to ofloxacin , moxifloxacin , sparfloxacin , amoxycillin and amoxycillin / clavulanic acid . against haemophilus parainfluenzae , gemifloxacin ( mic 90 0 . 12 mg / l ) was superior to ofloxacin ( mic 90 0 . 5 mg / l ), moxifloxacin ( mic 90 0 . 5 mg / l ), sparfloxacin ( mic 90 1 mg / l ), amoxycillin ( mic 90 1 mg / l ) and amoxycillin / clavulanic acid ( mic 90 0 . 5 mg / l ). against m . catarrhalis , gemifloxacin and grepafloxacin ( mic 90 ≦ 0 . 02 mg / l ) were the most active compounds tested ( table 4 ). gemifloxacin was significantly more potent than sparfloxacin , amoxycillin / clavulanic acid ( mic 90 0 . 5 mg / l ) and amoxycillin ( mic 90 8 mg / l ). against anaerobic strains , gemifloxacin ( mic 90 0 . 25 mg / l ) and moxifloxacin ( mic 90 0 . 25 mg / l ) were the most active agents tested ( table 5 ). the activity of gemifloxacin was significantly superior to ofloxacin ( mic 90 2 mg / l ), trovafloxacin ( mic 90 4 mg / l ), grepafloxacin ( mic 90 8 mg / l ) and sparfloxacin ( mic 90 16 mg / l ). against various other streptococcal strains , gemifloxacin was as active as ofloxacin , trovafloxacin , moxifloxacin and sparfloxacin ( mic 90 0 . 5 mg / l ). gemifloxacin shows a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against a broad range of bacterial strains isolated from acute or chronic maxillary sinusitis . the activity of gemifloxacin was higher than other agents tested against a broad range of maxillary sinus isolates , such as , for example , s . aureus , haemophilus spp ., m . catarrhalis and anaerobic strains . the overall in vitro activity of this compound is significantly greater than ciprofloxacin , ofloxacin , levofloxacin and sparfloxacin against strains of s . pneumoniae . gemifloxacin also has significant activity against haemophilus spp ., m . catarrhalis , some anaerobic strains and other various strains tested such as : non - fermentative gram negative bacilli , neisseria meningitidis and β - haemolytic streptococcus . combined with favourable pharmacokinetics in humans , gemifloxacin is a valuable oral compound for the treatment of acute or chronic sinusitis caused by microbial agents resistant to usual oral therapy . the invention provides a method for modulating metabolism of maxillary sinus pathogenic bacteria . skilled artisans can readily choose maxillary sinus pathogenic bacteria or patients infected with or suspected to be infected with these organisms to practice the methods of the invention . alternatively , the bacteria useful in the methods of the invention may be those described herein . the contacting step in any of the methods of the invention may be performed in many ways that will be readily apparent to the skilled artisan . however , it is preferred that the contacting step is a provision of a composition comprising a gemifloxacin compound to a human patient in need of such composition or directly to bacteria in culture medium or buffer . for example , when contacting a human patient or contacting said bacteria in a human patient or in vitro , the compositions comprising a gemifloxacin compound , preferably pharmaceutical compositions may be administered in any effective , convenient manner including , for instance , administration by topical , oral , anal , vaginal , intravenous , intraperitoneal , intramuscular , subcutaneous , intranasal or intradermal routes among others . it is also preferred that these compositions be employed in combination with a non - sterile or sterile carrier or carriers for use with cells , tissues or organisms , such as a pharmaceutical carrier suitable for administration to a subject . such compositions comprise , for instance , a media additive or a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention , preferably a gemifloxacin compound , and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient . such carriers may include , but are not limited to , saline , buffered saline , dextrose , water , glycerol , ethanol and combinations thereof . the formulation should suit the mode of administration . gemifloxacin compounds and compositions of the methods of the invention may be employed alone or in conjunction with other compounds , such as bacterial efflux pump inhibitor compounds or antibiotic compounds , particularly non - quinolone compounds , e . g ., beta - lactam antibiotic compounds . in therapy or as a prophylactic , the active agent of a method of the invention is preferably administered to an individual as an injectable composition , for example as a sterile aqueous dispersion , preferably an isotonic one . alternatively , the gemifloxacin compounds or compositions in the methods of the invention may be formulated for topical application for example in the form of ointments , creams , lotions , eye ointments , eye drops , ear drops , mouthwash , impregnated dressings and sutures and aerosols , and may contain appropriate conventional additives , including , for example , preservatives , solvents to assist drug penetration , and emollients in ointments and creams . such topical formulations may also contain compatible conventional carriers , for example cream or ointment bases , and ethanol or oleyl alcohol for lotions . such carriers may constitute from about 1 % to about 98 % by weight of the formulation ; more usually they will constitute up to about 80 % by weight of the formulation . for administration to mammals , and particularly humans , it is expected that the antibacterially effective amount is a daily dosage level of the active agent from 0 . 001 mg / kg to 10 mg / kg , typically around 0 . 1 mg / kg to 1 mg / kg , preferably about 1 mg / kg . a physician , in any event , will determine an actual dosage that is most suitable for an individual and will vary with the age , weight and response of the particular individual . the above dosages are exemplary of the average case . there can , of course , be individual instances where higher or lower dosage ranges are merited , and such are within the scope of this invention . it is preferred that the dosage is selected to modulate metabolism of the bacteria in such a way as to inhibit or stop growth of said bacteria or by killing said bacteria . the skilled artisan may identify this amount as provided herein as well as using other methods known in the art , e . g . by the application mic tests . a further embodiment of the invention provides for the contacting step of the methods to further comprise contacting an in - dwelling device in a patient . in - dwelling devices include , but are not limited to , surgical implants , prosthetic devices and catheters , i . e ., devices that are introduced to the body of an individual and remain in position for an extended time . such devices include , for example , artificial joints , heart valves , pacemakers , vascular grafts , vascular catheters , cerebrospinal fluid shunts , urinary catheters , and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis ( capd ) catheters . a gemifloxacin compound or composition of the invention may be administered by injection to achieve a systemic effect against relevant bacteria , preferably a maxillary sinus pathogenic bacteria , shortly before insertion of an in - dwelling device . treatment may be continued after surgery during the in - body time of the device . in addition , the composition could also be used to broaden perioperative cover for any surgical technique to prevent bacterial wound infections caused by or related to maxillary sinus pathogenic bacteria . in addition to the therapy described above , a gemifloxacin compound or composition used in the methods of this invention may be used generally as a wound treatment agent to prevent adhesion of bacteria to matrix proteins , particularly maxillary sinus pathogenic bacteria , exposed in wound tissue and for prophylactic use in dental treatment as an alternative to , or in conjunction with , antibiotic prophylaxis . alternatively , a gemifloxacin compound or composition of the invention may be used to bathe an indwelling device immediately before insertion . the active agent will preferably be present at a concentration of 1μg / ml to 10mg / ml for bathing of wounds or indwelling devices . also provided by the invention is a method of treating or preventing a bacterial infection by maxillary sinus pathogenic bacteria comprising the step of administering an antibacterially effective amount of a composition comprising a gemifloxacin compound to a mammal , preferably a human , suspected of having or being at risk of having an infection with maxillary sinus pathogenic bacteria . while a preferred object of the invention provides a method wherein said maxillary sinus pathogenic bacteria is selected from the group consisting of : a bacterial strain isolated from acute or chronic maxillary sinusitis ; a maxillary sinus isolate of staphylococcus aureus , streptococcus pneumoniae , haemophilus spp ., moraxella catarrhalis , an anaerobic strain or non - fermentative gram negative bacilli , neisseria meningitidis , β - haemolytic streptococcus , haemophilus influenzae , an enterobacteriaceae , a non - fermentative gram negative bacilli , streptococcus pneumoniae , streptococcus pyogenes , a methicillin - resistant staphylococcus spp ., legionella pneumophila , mycoplasma spp . and chiamydia spp ., haemophilus influenzae , haemophilus parainfluenzae , peptostreptococcus , bacteroides spp ., and bacteroides urealyticus . other maxillary sinus pathogenic bacteria may also be included in the methods . the skilled artisan may identify these organisms as provided herein as well as using other methods known in the art , e . g . mic tests . preferred embodiments of the invention include , among other things , methods wherein said composition comprises gemifloxacin , or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof . the present invention is further described by the following examples . the examples are provided solely to illustrate the invention by reference to specific embodiments . this exemplification &# 39 ; s , while illustrating certain specific aspects of the invention , do not portray the limitations or circumscribe the scope of the disclosed invention . all examples were carried out using standard techniques , which are well known and routine to those of skill in the art , except where otherwise described in detail . all parts or amounts set out in the following examples are by weight , unless otherwise specified . test strains were obtained from recent maxillary sinus aspiration . identification of organisms was by standard methods ( see , for example , murray , p . r ., et al . manual of clinical microbiology . 6th ed . american society of microbiology 1995 : 282 - 620 ). antimicrobial activity was tested against 250 selected isolates ( table 1 ). emphasis was placed on testing commonly isolated sinusitis organisms or organisms that have demonstrated resistance to common oral therapy . the agar dilution method using replicate plating of the organisms onto a series of agar plates of increasing concentrations was used ( see , for example , national committee for clinical laboratory standards . methods for antimicrobial susceptibility tests for bacteria that growth aerobically . approved standards m 7 - a4 . national committee for laboratory standards , villanova , pa ., 1997 ). mics were determined by using doubling dilutions of between 0 . 02 - 256 mg / l with an inoculum of 10 4 cfu in area of 5 - 8 mm . mueller - hinton agar was used for routine susceptibility testing of aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria and was supplemented with 5 % defibrinated sheep blood for testing those organisms that do not grow on the unsupplemented medium . haemophilus test medium was used for haemophilus spp . and wilkins - chalgren agar was used for anaerobes . after incubation at 35 ° c . for 24 h in an aerobic atmosphere for aerobes or facultative anaerobes , in 5 - 7 % co 2 for haemophilus and in an anaerobic atmosphere for anaerobes , the mic was determined as the lowest concentration of antimicrobial that completely inhibited growth . each reference cited herein is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety . moreover , each patent application to which this application claims priority is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety .
this invention relates , in part , to newly identified methods of using quinolone antibiotics , particularly a gemifloxacin compound against maxillary sinus pathogenic pathogenic bacteria