Besifloxacin is a broad spectrum fourth-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Besifloxacin is effective against gram positive and negative, aerobic and anerobic bacteria. Fluoroquinolones stabilize DNA strand breaks created by DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV by binding to the enzyme-DNA complex generating persistent, covalent enzyme–DNA adducts, inhibiting DNA synthesis. Besifloxacin inhibits both DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV at nearly equal concentrations. It is used clinically primarily in the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis.
