Cefsulodin was synthesized by Takeda Chemicals Industries in 1974 by introducing the sulfobenzyl group, the same moiety as in sulbenicillin, at the 7 position of the cephem nucleus. Its side chain at the 3 position is similar to that of cephaloridine except for the carbamoyl group. The introduction of these hydrophilic groups increases the activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but it markedly decreases it against gram-positive and other gramnegative bacteria. Therefore cefsulodin is used as a specific antibiotic against infections caused by the opportunistic pathogen P. aeruginosa.
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Cefsulodin is most commonly used in CIN agar to select for Yersinia microorganisms. The compound displays a mechanism of action like many β lactam antibiotics through inhibition of cell wall synthesis by competitively inhibiting penicillin binding protein (PBP) crosslinking of peptidoglycan resulting in inhibition of the final transpeptidation step. Through the inability for Cefsulodin sodium salt hydrate to inhibit cefsulodin-resistant mutants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO4089 growth displayed that Cefsulodin sodium salt hydrate may compete with PBP3 in addition to PBP1A and PBP1B.
