Antibacterial compounds

Abstract

An antibacterial compound of formula I, wherein X is selected from fluoro or bromo, effective against Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, and in particular against non-fermenting multiresistant bacteria affecting patients suffering from cystic fibrosis and which are responsible of severe hospital-acquired infections in immunodepressed patients; its preparation process and pharmaceutical composition comprising said compound. ##STR00001##

Claims

1. An antibacterial compound of formula I ##STR00005## wherein X is selected from fluoro or bromo.

2. A process for preparing the antibacterial compound of claim 1, said process comprising the steps of: a) adding an amine and trietilamine to an acyl thiourea in solvent; b) slowly adding HgCl.sub.2 to the mixture of step a); and c) allowing the reaction to proceed at room temperature for at least 6 hours.

3. The process of claim 2, wherein the acyl thiourea has the formula II ##STR00006## wherein R is the adamantyl group C.sub.10H.sub.15; R1 is H and R2 is 2-Br-4,6-F.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.2.

4. The process of claim 2, wherein the solvent comprises dimethylformamide.

5. The process of claim 2, wherein steps a) and b) are carried out under agitation and overheating is avoided using refrigeration means.

6. The process of claim 2, wherein the amine of step a) is R.sub.3NH.sub.2, wherein R.sub.3 is selected from the group comprising 2-bromo-4,6-difluoro-phenyl (2-Br-4,6-F.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.2) and 2,6-dibromo-4-fluoro-phenyl (2,6-Br.sub.2-4-FC.sub.6H.sub.2).

7. The process of claim 2, wherein after step c) the obtained guanidine is purified by performing the additional steps of: d) removing by filtration the HgS formed during the reaction, which is an highly insoluble solid; e) removing by filtration the Et.sub.3NH.sup.+Cl.sup. salt, which is the other solid formed during the reaction, by an extraction process consisting of water addition and ethyl acetate to the reaction mixture under vigorous agitation; f) allowing to settle and separating the ethyl acetate organic layer; g) optionally, repeating the extraction process of steps e) and f); h) drying the organic phase by adding MgSO.sub.4 or CaCl.sub.2 and removing the solvent under negative pressure; i) the obtained solid is purified by standard ethanol re-crystallization methods.

8. A bactericidal pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 1.

9. A bactericidal pharmaceutical composition against Gram positive bacteria comprising the compound of claim 1.

10. A bactericidal pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of infections affecting patients suffering from cystic fibrosis, said composition comprising the compound of claim 1.

11. A bactericidal pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of infections caused by non-fermenting multiresistant Gram negative bacteria, said composition comprising the compound of claim 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(1) The new compounds of the invention were synthesized following the general method of preparation (Tetrahedron, 2001, 57, 1671-1675), from the reaction between an intermediary compound of the acyl thiourea and HgCl.sub.2 in presence of trimethylamine. The products were adequately characterized regarding its chemistry. The antibacterial activity of the new compounds was assayed against two Gram-positive reference strains: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC6538) and Bacillus cereus (ATCC10876), a fermenting Gram-negative strain: Escherichia coli (ATCC25922), and 26 non-fermenting Gram-negative isolates, including 3 reference strains: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1), Bordetella bronchiseptica (9.73H+), and Inquilinus limosus (DSM16000), and 23 isolates recovered from patients suffering from cystic fibrosis, including one Achromobacter xylosoxidans isolate, and 22 isolates belonging to the Burkholderia cepacia complex. The later were selected because they presented resistance to a high number of antimicrobial compounds, among a panel of 125 clinical isolates previously analyzed for its resistance against 17 antimicrobial compounds (1,2). The antibiotic sensitivity studies were performed by applying two quantitative methods which allow to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC).

(2) The studies indicate that both compounds have MIC and MBC values similar or lower than those found using commercially available antibiotics. As an example, the in vitro biologic assays showed that compound H-BDF has a MIC of 3.9 g/ml and a MBC of 7.81 g/ml against Burkholderia seminalis (CBC 040). This strain is resistant to most commercial antibiotics, namely: ampicillin, ampicillin-sulbactam, piperazine-tazobactam, cefalotin, cefoxitin, cefotaxim, ceftazidime, cefepime, imipenem, meropenem, amikacin, gentamicin, nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, nitrofurantoin, colistin and trimethoprim-sulfametazole (1).

(3) The activity observed for the compound of the invention is either similar or superior to the antibiotics prescribed with the regular treatments.

(4) The antimicrobial activity of compound H-BDF is similar or even superior to the activity reported for other guanidine-derived compounds against a number of Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. For example, the MIC values for E. coli of the guanidine derivatives disclosed in patent application WO 2004073709 A1 are higher than 1 g/ml. The guanidine derivatives disclosed by Hensler and colleagues (Hensler, M. E.; Bernstein, G.; Nizet, V.; Nefzi, A., Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 2006, 16, 5073-5079) have MIC values higher than 2.5 g/ml against E. coli. The MIC values against E. coli of the guanidine salts disclosed by Sun and colleagues (Sun, S.; An, Q.; Li, X.; Qian, L.; He, B.; Xiao, H., Bioresource Technology 2010, 101, 5693-5700) are between 8 and 16 g/ml. Compound H-BDF of this invention has MIC values against E. coli which are similar or lower than the aforementioned compounds (0.97 g/ml). In vitro cytotoxicity assays were performed using the human monocyte cell line THP-I and vital staining with Trypan Blue (3). The IC50 value was defined as the higher drug concentration at which 50% of cells are viable compared with the control. These studies showed that the assayed compounds have a low to moderate cytotoxicity level (H-BDF: IC50=15.25 g/mL M; H-DBF: IC50>132.5 g/mL). The Selectivity Index (SI), defined as the ratio between the IC50 and the MIC for each compound, was calculated. Compound H-BDF has an SI>10, which makes it a good antimicrobial candidate according to the criteria set up by Orme (5).

(5) It is an object of the invention a process for the synthesis of two new chemical compounds, namely H-DBF and H-BDF, which are powerful antimicrobial agents against non-fermenting Gram-negative multiresistant bacilli isolated from patients suffering from cystic fibrosis, immunocompromised or affected by a hospital-acquired infection.

(6) From the chemical point of view, compounds H-DBF and H-BDF belong to the chemical family of the acyl guanidines. Although the chemical synthesis general method for guanidines is well known (see for example Tetrahedron, 2001, 57, 1671-1675), the compounds of the invention are new, i.e. were unknown before this invention.

(7) In in vitro assays, compounds H-DBF and H-BDF showed to be effective against bacteria which were multiresistant to most of the currently used antibiotics, notably against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Inquilinus limosus and species from the Burkholderia cepacia complex (B. cepacia, B. cenocepacia, B. seminalis, B. multivorans and B. contaminans). To the date, no studies have shown bactericidal activity of similar compounds against multiresistant strains such as those presented in this application.

(8) In the instant invention, compounds H-DBF and H-BDF have antimicrobial properties with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) much lower to those reported in previous studies for similar compounds, with values similar or lower than those calculated using commercially available antibiotics typically used for treating these kinds of infections (meropenem, tobramycin, ceftazidime). It has been shown that the composition of the instant invention has an outstanding antimicrobial effect against multiresistant strains from the respiratory tract which threaten patients affected by cystic fibrosis, immunodepressed or suffering from severe hospital acquired infection, including those by the species Pseudomonas aeruginsa, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Inquilinus limosus and species from the Burkholderia cepacia complex (B. cepacia, B. cenocepacia, B. seminalis, B. multivorans and B. contaminans). These activity levels against multiresistant isolates have not been shown before for compounds of this kind (guanidines).

(9) The low cytotoxicity of compounds H-DBF and H-BDF is yet another remarkable advantage of the compounds of the invention relative to the prior art compounds. In vitro assays in human tumor cells show that the compounds of the invention have low to moderate cytotoxicity levels. The SI values of compounds H-BDF and H-DBF against S. aureus are 62 and 17, respectively, whereas the SI values for E. coli, are 16 and 2, respectively. This means that these compounds can be considered as good antibacterial agents according to the criteria set up by Orme (5).

(10) The chemical synthesis steps leading to the compounds of the invention as final product are easily performed, with a high reaction yield. Purification of the products is carried out by the usual processes of organic chemistry. The compounds of the invention are stable over an extended period of time and its storage conditions do not have particular requirements.

(11) The compounds of the invention are effective against bacterial strains which usually compromise the pulmonary function in patients suffering from cystic fibrosis, as demonstrated in in vitro assays. These compounds could represent a therapeutic alternative in the fight against the aforementioned infections, whose treatment is usually difficult and has a low rate of success due to the high resistance level presented by these strains to the commonly used antibiotics. Cytotoxicity assays based on the human monocyte cell line THP-I demonstrate that the compounds of the invention have a moderate to low toxicity level.

(12) The compounds of the invention have been characterized using the standard techniques, including elementary chemistry analysis, melting point, infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

(13) The method used in the synthesis of compounds H-BDF and H-DBF is explained in further detail below, according to the synthesis reaction outlined below:

(14) ##STR00004##

(15) An amount of acyl thiourea is placed in a reaction container (R=adamantyl C.sub.10H.sub.15, R.sub.1=H, R.sub.2=2-Br-4,6-F.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.2) in dimethyl formamide solvent. This system is kept under agitation in cooling bath, and a weighted amount of the corresponding R.sub.3NH.sub.2 amine (2-bromo-4,6-difluoro aniline (R.sub.3=2-Br-4,6-F.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.2) for H-BDF, and 2,6-dibromo-4-fluoro aniline (R.sub.3=2,6-Br.sub.2-4-FC.sub.6H.sub.2) for H-DBF) and trimethylamine [(CH.sub.3CH.sub.2).sub.3N] are added in succession. The reaction conditions are mild, slowly adding the HgCl.sub.2 to the reaction mixture kept under refrigeration by using refrigeration means and keeping the system under agitation for at least 6 hours, preferably 12 hours at room temperature. The reaction progress can be tracked by thin layer chromatography using a mixture of n-hexane/ethyl acetate at a ratio 10:1 as solvent.

(16) The purification process for the guanidines is relatively simple. As it is well known in the art, HgS is a highly insoluble solid which can be easily removed from the reaction medium by filtration. The other by-product of the invention, the Et.sub.3NH.sup.+Cl.sup. salt, is removed by an extraction process consisting of the addition of water and ethyl acetate to the reaction mixture under strong agitation. After settling, the organic phase containing the ethyl acetate is separated. The extraction process is repeated three times, the organic phase is dried by addition of MgSO.sub.4 or CaCl.sub.2, and the solvent is removed under reduced pressure. The obtained solid is purified by standard ethanol recrystallization methods. This preparation method allows for high yields (70%) and the purity of the obtained product generally is higher than 95% as measured through nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. If needed, the reaction product can be purified by silica gel column chromatography, using n-hexane/acetate at a 10:1 ratio as elution solvent.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

(17) Preparation of H-DBF (Formula C.sub.24H.sub.21Br.sub.3F.sub.3N.sub.3O)

(18) A weighted amount (10 mmol) of acyl thiourea of formula II (R=adamantyl, R.sub.1=H, R.sub.2=2-Br-4,6-F.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.2) was placed in a reaction container in dimethyl formamide solvent (20 mL). The system was kept under agitation in ice bath, and a weighted amount of the corresponding R.sub.3NH.sub.2 amine (R.sub.3=2,6-Br.sub.2-4-FC.sub.6H.sub.2) (10 mmol) and trimethylamine [(CH.sub.3CH.sub.2).sub.3N] (20 mmol) were added in succession. The reaction conditions were mild, slowly adding the HgCl.sub.2 to the reaction mixture kept in ice bath and keeping the system under agitation for 12 hours at room temperature. The reaction progress was tracked by thin layer chromatography using a mixture of n-hexane/ethyl acetate at a 10:1 ratio as solvent.

(19) HgS is a highly insoluble solid which was removed from the reaction medium by filtration. The other reaction by-product, the Et.sub.3NH.sup.+Cl.sup. salt, was removed by an extraction process consisting of the addition of 5 ml of water and 5 ml of ethyl acetate to the reaction mixture under strong agitation. After settling, the organic phase containing the ethyl acetate was separated. The extraction process was repeated three times, the organic phase was dried by addition of MgSO.sub.4, and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The obtained solid was purified by standard ethanol recrystallization methods. This preparation method allowed for high yields (70%) and a purity of the obtained product which was higher than 95% as measured through nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Example 2

Preparation of H-BDF (Formula C.SUB.24.H.SUB.21.Br.SUB.2.F.SUB.4.N.SUB.3.O)

(20) A weighted amount (10 mmol) of acyl thiourea was placed in a reaction container (R=adamantyl C.sub.10H.sub.15, R.sub.1=H, R.sub.2=2-Br-4,6-F.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.2) in dimethyl formamide solvent (20 mL). The system was kept under agitation in ice bath, and a weighted amount of the corresponding R.sub.3NH.sub.2 (R.sub.3=2-Br-4,6-F.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.2) (10 mmol) and triethylamine [(CH.sub.3CH.sub.2).sub.3N] (20 mmol) were added in succession. The reaction conditions were mild, slowly adding the HgCl.sub.2 to the reaction mixture kept in ice bath and keeping the system under agitation for 12 hours at room temperature. The reaction progress was tracked by thin layer chromatography using a mixture of n-hexane/ethyl acetate at a 10:1 ratio as solvent.

(21) HgS is a highly insoluble solid which was removed from the reaction medium by filtration. The other reaction by-product, the Et.sub.3NH.sup.+Cl.sup. salt, was removed by an extraction process consisting of the addition of 5 ml of water and 5 ml of ethyl acetate to the reaction mixture under strong agitation. After settling, the organic phase containing the ethyl acetate was separated. The extraction process was repeated three times, the organic phase was dried by addition of CaCl.sub.2, and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The obtained solid was purified by standard ethanol recrystallization methods. This preparation method allowed for high yields (70%) and a purity of the obtained product which was higher than 95% as measured through nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Further purification can be achieved by silica gel column chromatography using a mixture of n-hexane/ethyl acetate at a ratio 10:1 as eluting solvent.

Example 3

(22) Chemical Characterization

(23) The compounds synthesized in Examples 1 and 2 are solid at room temperature, stable, can be handled without any special care, and are unaffected when handled in presence of air and atmospheric humidity. Their melting point and elementary composition were determined. The compounds were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques (FT-IR) using the KBr pellet method and by multinuclear Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectrometry (.sup.1H and .sup.13C) in CDCl.sub.3. The obtained data are summarized below:

(24) N(N,N-bis(2-bromo-4,6-difluorophenyl)carbamimidoyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide (code H-BDF): yield of the reaction 70%, melting point 174 C. FT-IR (KBr, cm.sup.1): 3336, 3413, 3245, 3128, 3043, 3034, 2909, 2849, 1675, 1575, 1457, 1370. .sup.1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 9.79 (br s, 1H, NH, interchangeable in D.sub.2O); 8.04 (br s, 1H, NH, interchangeable in D.sub.2O); 7.17-7.13 (m, 2H, Ar), 7.06-6.98 (m, 2H, Ar), 2.0 (br s, 3H, adamantane-H), 1.94-1.89 (br m, 3H, adamantane-H), 1.78-1.60 (br m, 10H, adamantane-H); .sup.13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 178.2 (CO), 174.2 (CN), 154.9, 151.8, 148.6, 131.9, 114.6, 107.8, 103.2 (ArCs), 40.9, 37.9, 35.8, (adamantane-C); Estimated analysis for C.sub.24H.sub.21F.sub.4Br.sub.2N.sub.3O (603.0): C, 47.78; H, 3.51; N, 6.97%. Found: C, 48.1; H, 3.49; N, 7.01%.

(25) N(N-(2-bromo-4,6-difluorophenyl)-N-(2,6-dibromo-4-fluorophenyl)carbamimidoyl) adamantane-1-carboxamide (code H-DBF) yield of the reaction 70%, mp 144 C. FT-IR (KBr, cm.sup.1): 3413, 3245, 3128, 3043, 3034, 2909, 2849, 1675, 1575, 1457, 1370. .sup.1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 11.94 (br s, 1H, NH, interchangeable in D.sub.2O); 9.66 (br s, 1H, NH, interchangeable in D.sub.2O); 7.48 (m, 1H, Ar), 7.23 (m, 2H, Ar), 7.01 (m, 1H, Ar), 1.99-1.84 (m, 10H, adamantane-H), 1.79-1.59 (m, 6H, adamantane-H); .sup.13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 179.2 (CO), 174.2 (CN), 160.4, 159.8, 157.2, 151.9, 147.2, 140.2, 123.9, 115.8, 114.3, 104.5 (ArCs), 41.9, 37.6, 35.8 (adamantane-C); Estimated analysis for C.sub.24H.sub.21F.sub.3Br.sub.3N.sub.3O (663.1): C, 43.40; H, 3.19; N, 6.33%. Found: C, 43.21.1; H, 3.52; N, 6.97%.

Example 4

(26) In Vitro Assays

(27) The compounds obtained in Examples 1 and 2 were assayed against 23 isolates recovered from the sputum of patients suffering from cystic fibrosis being treated at the Sor Maria Ludovica Children Hospital (La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina). Nineteen of these isolates were selected for being highly resistant to most of the antimicrobial agents of clinical use from a panel of 125 isolates previously characterized in Martina et al. (1). Reference strains were also included: Gram (+) bacteria: B. cereus and S. aureus, fermenting Gram () bacteria: E. coli, and non-fermenting Gram () bacteria: Inquilinus limosus (DSM16000), B. bronchiseptica, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1). The antibiotic sensitivity studies were performed applying two quantitative methods which allow to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) according to the criteria established by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) (4). For comparative purposes, three antibiotics commonly used in the treatment of pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis patients were included in the study: tobramycin, ceftazidime and meropenem. Results are shown in Table I below.

(28) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I Microbial susceptibility of strains isolated from cystic fibrosis patients H-BDF H-DBF Tobramucin Meropenem Ceftazimide MIC MBC MIC MBC MIC MBC MIC MBC MIC MBC Reference strains (g/ml) (g/ml) (g/ml) (g/ml) (g/ml) (g/ml) (g/ml) (g/ml) (g/ml) (g/ml) B. branchisaptica (9.73H+) 0.48 1.95 16.6 66.5 62.5 62.5 <0.48 <0.48 7.81 62.5 S. aureus (ATCC6538) 0.24 0.97 7.81 66.4 1.95 1.95 <0.48 <0.48 7.81 7.81 Bacillus cereus (ATCC10876) 1.95 1.95 66.4 66.4 7.81 31.25 <0.48 <0.48 0.97 0.97 E. coli (ATCC25922) 0.97 1.95 66.4 66.4 15.62 15.62 <0.48 <0.48 0.97 0.97 P. aeruginosa (PAO1) 0.48 3.9 33.2 >132.8 1.95 1.95 <0.48 <0.48 1.95 1.95 Inquilnus Ifmosus (DSM16000) 3.9 7.81 61.25 nd R nd <0.48 <0.48 R nd Clinical isolates.sup.a Burkholderia seminaliz (CBC040) 3.9 7.81 61.25 >61.25 R nd R nd R nd B. cenacepacia (FQC2524) 0.97 3.9 15.62 31.25 R nd S nd S nd B. contaminans (HNBC001) <0.48 0.97 15.62 31.25 R nd R nd S nd Burkholderia cenocepacia (HE001) 3.9 61.25 61.25 >61.25 R nd R nd R nd Achromobacter xylosaxidans (HNA001) <0.48 <0.48 7.8 31.25 R nd S 7.81 S nd Burkholderia multivorans (CBC 018) 1.95 7.81 66.4 >132 R nd S 3.9 S 7.81 Burkholderia cenocepacia (CBC 023) 1.95 3.9 66.4 132 R nd R nd R nd Burkholderia cenocepacia (CBC 035) 1.95 3.9 66.4 132 R nd S 15.62 S 15.62 Burkholderia cenocepacia (CBC 036) 1.95 7.81 66.4 132 R nd R nd S 15.62 Burkholderia multivorans (CBC 015) 1.95 3.9 66.4 132 R nd S 3.9 S 7.81 Burkholderia cenocepacia (CBC 031) 1.95 7.81 31.25 62.5 R nd R nd S 7.81 Burkholderia cenocepacia (CBC 032) 1.95 3.9 31.25 62.5 R nd R nd S 7.81 Burkholderia multivorans (CBC 019) 1.95 7.81 66.4 132 R nd S 7.81 R nd Burkholderia cenocepacia (CBC 024) 1.95 7.81 66.4 132 R nd R nd S 7.81 Burkholderia seminalis (CBC 042) 0.96 7.81 33.2 66.4 R nd R nd R nd Burkholderia multivorans (CBC 016) 1.95 7.81 66.4 >132 R nd R nd S 3.9 Burkholderia multivorans (CBC 021) 1.95 3.9 66.4 >132 R nd S 7.81 R nd Burkholderia cepacia (CBC 010) 3.9 7.81 132.8 >132 R nd S 3.9 R nd Burkholderia cepacia (CBC 011) 1.95 30.16 66.4 >132 R nd S >62.5 R nd Burkholderia multivorans (CBC 020) 3.9 15.62 66.4 132.8 R nd S 31.25 R nd Burkholderia multivorans (CBC 022) 3.9 7.8 132.8 >132.8 R nd S 7.81 R nd Burkholderia cenocepacia (CBC 033) 3.9 15.61 132.8 >132.8 R nd R nd S 31.25 Burkholderia cenocepacia (CBC 029) 3.9 15.62 >132.8 >132.8 R nd R nd S 15.62 nd = non-determined R = resistant, I = intermediate, S = sensible (according to the criteria set up by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) Meropenem (<4 g/ml S, 8 g/ml I, >16 g/ml R) CFZ (<8 g/ml S, 16 g/ml I, >32 g/ml R) T (<4 g/ml S, 8 g/ml I, >16 g/ml R) .sup.aIsolates recovered from patients with chronical infections

Example 5

(29) Cytotoxicity Assay

(30) For assaying the cytotoxicity of the compounds obtained in Examples 1 and 2, cell viability by vital coloration exclusion with Trypan blue (3). The studies were performed using the monocyte cell line THP-I. The IC50 value was defined as the highest drug concentration at which 50% of the cells are viable as compared with the control.

(31) These studies indicated that the assayed compounds have a low to moderate cytotoxicity level (H-BDF: IC50=15.25 g/mL; H-DBF: IC50 132.5 g/mL). The Selectivity Index (SI) was determined, defined as the ratio between the MIC value and the IC50 value.

(32) The bacterial isolates used in this invention belonged to the bacterial collection at CINDEFI CAMPA (Coleccin Argentina de Microorganismos Patgenos y Ambientales). They were recovered from sputum samples of patients treated at La Plata Children Hospital Sor Maria Ludovica in the context of scientific collaboration for identifying and characterizing organisms from the Burkholderia cepacia complex from clinic samples (1,2). The collaboration followed the Guidelines approved by the Institutional Committee for Review of Research Protocols.

REFERENCES

(33) (1) Martina, P., S. Feliziani, C. Juan, M. Bettiol, B. Gatti, O. Yantorno, A. M. Smania, A. Oliver, A. Bosch. 2014. Int. J. Med. Microbiol. 304:1182. (2) Oderiz, M. J., M. Palau, P. Palacio, M. C. Lewis, M. P. Bettiol, P. Martina, A. Bosch, O. M. Yantorno, B. M. Gatti. 2011. Revista argentina de microbiologia 43:168. (3) Bonifacio, J. S. Current Protocols in Cell Biology. 2000. John Wiley & Sons Inc, New York. (4) CLSI, 2011. Supplement M100-S21, Clinical ed. Pennsylvania, USA. (5) Orme, I. 2001. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 45: 1943