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. 2021 Mar 17;89(4):e00694-20. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00694-20

TABLE 1.

Penetration of antibiotics into host cells and biofilms

Antibiotic class Antibiotic example(s) Host cell penetrationa Biofilm penetrationa
Macrolide Azithromycin, telithromycin, erythromycin, clarithromycin Efficient (59, 62, 145) Efficient (146, 147)
Aminoglycoside Gentamicin, tobramycin Poor (26, 59) Impeded/retarded penetration into biofilms (26, 148)
Oxazolidinone Linezolid Conflicting data on accumulation (59, 149) Efficient (150)
β-lactam Penicillin V, nafcillin, ampicillin, oxacillin Poor penetration and low accumulation (53, 5659, 61) Impeded (21)
Glycopeptide Vancomycin Poor (59, 61, 62) Penetration is retarded but can reach therapeutic levels within the biofilm (20, 151, 152)
Ansamycin Rifampicin Efficient (6062) Efficient (20, 27)
Quinolone Ciprofloxacin, levofloxavin, moxifloxacin Efficient (59, 61, 145) Efficient (26, 153, 154)
Cephalosporin Cefazolin, cefuroxime, cefotaxime Poor (59, 61) Impeded (21)
Tetracycline Minocycline Moderate (58, 59, 61) Efficient (22, 155)
Lipopetide Daptomycin Poor (59) Efficient (24, 25)
Lincosamide Clindamycin Temp dependent; moderate penetration at 37°C (58, 59) Limited data on penetration (156)
a

References are in parentheses.