Strain identity of Bordetella pertussis isolates from household members based on whole-genome sequencing.

We evaluated the genetic diversity of Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of pertussis, within households by whole-genome sequencing. In pairwise comparisons of 23 isolates collected from 11 households, single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis revealed extremely low SNP diversity (≤1 SNP) between isolate pairs: no SNPs were detected in 10 households and one SNP was obtained in the remaining household. This SNP was uncommon for B. pertussis and resulted in a nonsynonymous substitution (Ala303Thr) in nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase. We demonstrated that the same strain is transmitted between household members and that B. pertussis is genomically stable during household transmission.

Effect of WQ-3334 on Campylobacter jejuni carrying a DNA gyrase with dominant amino acid substitutions conferring quinolone resistance.

INTRODUCTION: Campylobacteriosis stands as one of the most frequent bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide necessitating antibiotic treatment in severe cases and the rise of quinolones-resistant Campylobacter jejuni poses a significant challenge. The predominant mechanism of quinolones-resistance in this bacterium involves point mutations in the gyrA, resulting in amino acid substitution from threonine to isoleucine at 86th position, representing more than 90% of mutant DNA gyrase, and aspartic acid to asparagine at 90th position. WQ-3334, a novel quinolone, has demonstrated strong inhibitory activity against various bacteria. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of WQ-3334, and its analogues, WQ-4064 and WQ-4065, with a unique modification in R1 against quinolones-resistant C. jejuni. METHODS: The structure-activity relationship of the examined drugs was investigated by measuring IC50 and their antimicrobial activities were accessed by MIC against C. jejuni strains. Additionally, in silico docking simulations were carried out using the crystal structure of the Escherichia coli DNA gyrase. RESULT: WQ-3334 exhibited the lowest IC50 against WT (0.188 ± 0.039 mg/L), T86I (11.0 ± 0.7 mg/L) and D90 N (1.60 ± 0.28 mg/L). Notably, DNA gyrases with T86I substitutions displayed the highest IC50 values among the examined WQ compounds. Moreover, WQ-3334 demonstrated the lowest MICs against wild-type and mutant strains. The docking simulations further confirmed the interactions between WQ-3334 and DNA gyrases. CONCLUSION: WQ-3334 with 6-amino-3,5-difluoropyridine-2-yl at R1 severed as a remarkable candidate for the treatment of foodborne diseases caused by quinolones-resistant C. jejuni as shown by the high inhibitory activity against both wild-type and the predominant quinolones-resistant strains.

Macrolide-Resistant Bordetella pertussis, Vietnam, 2016-2017.

Macrolide-resistant Bordetella pertussis emerged in Vietnam during 2016-2017. Direct analyses of swab samples from 10 patients with pertussis revealed a macrolide-resistant mutation, A2047G, in the 23S rRNA. We identified the MT104 genotype of macrolide-resistant B. pertussis (which is prevalent in mainland China) and its variants in these patients.

Interaction of the plasmid-encoded quinolone resistance protein QnrB19 with Salmonella Typhimurium DNA gyrase.

BACKGROUND: Plasmid-encoded quinolone resistance protein Qnr is an important factor in bacterial resistance to quinolones. Qnr interacts with DNA gyrase and reduces susceptibility to quinolones. The gene qnr likely spreads rapidly among Enterobacteriaceae via horizontal gene transfer. Though the vast amounts of epidemiological data are available, molecular details of the contribution of QnrB19, the predominant Qnr in Salmonella spp., to the acquisition of quinolone resistance has not yet been understood well. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the role of QnrB19 in quinolone resistance acquisition using recombinant Salmonella Typhimurium DNA gyrases and QnrB19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Recombinant QnrB19 was expressed in E. coli and purified by Ni-NTA agarose column chromatography. DNA supercoiling activities of recombinant Salmonella Typhimurium DNA gyrase were assessed with or without QnrB19 under the existence of three quinolones to measure IC50s, the concentration of each quinolone required for 50% inhibition in vitro. RESULTS: The IC50s of norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid against DNA gyrases were measured to be 0.30, 0.16 and 17.7 µg/mL, respectively. The addition of QnrB19 increased the IC50s of norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin to be 0.81 and 0.48 µg/mL, respectively, where no effect of QnrB19 was observed on the IC50 of nalidixic acid. CONCLUSION: QnrB19 was shown for the first time in vitro to have ability to grant non-classical quinolone resistance to S. Typhimurium DNA gyrase. Structural insight on quinolones in this study may contribute to investigate drugs useful for preventing the spread of plasmid carrying PMQR along with other factors associating with antimicrobial resistance in S. Typhimurium and other bacteria.

WQ-3810 inhibits DNA gyrase activity in ofloxacin-resistant Mycobacterium leprae.

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium leprae causes leprosy and ofloxacin is used to control this bacterium. However, specific amino acid substitutions in DNA gyrases of M. leprae interferes with the effect of ofloxacin. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here we tested the inhibitory effect of WQ-3810 on DNA gyrases in M. leprae, using recombinant gyrases. We theorized that WQ-3810 and DNA gyrases interacted, which was tested in silico. Compared with control drugs like ofloxacin, WQ-3810 showed a better inhibitory effect on ofloxacin-resistant DNA gyrases. The in-silico study showed that, unlike control drugs, a specific linkage between a R1 group in WQ-3810 and aspartic acid at position 464 in the subunit B of DNA gyrases existed, which would enhance the inhibitory effect of WQ-3810. This linkage was confirmed in a further experiment, using recombinant DNA gyrases with amino acid substitutions in subunits B instead. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The inhibitory effect of WQ-3810 was likely enhanced by the specific linkage between a R1 group residue in its structure and DNA gyrases. Using interactions like the one found in the present work may help design new fluoroquinolones that contribute to halt the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

WQ-3810 exerts high inhibitory effect on quinolone-resistant DNA gyrase of Salmonella Typhimurium.

The inhibitory effect of WQ-3810 on DNA gyrase was assayed to evaluate the potential of WQ-3810 as a candidate drug for the treatment of quinolone resistant Salmonella Typhymurium infection. The inhibitory effect of WQ-3810, ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid was compared by accessing the drug concentration that halves the enzyme activity (IC50) of purified S. Typhimurium wildtype and mutant DNA gyrase with amino acid substitution at position 83 or/and 87 in subunit A (GyrA) causing quinolone resistance. As a result, WQ-3810 reduced the enzyme activity of both wildtype and mutant DNA gyrase at a lower concentration than ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid. Remarkably, WQ-3810 showed a higher inhibitory effect on DNA gyrase with amino acid substitutions at position 87 than with that at position 83 in GyrA. This study revealed that WQ-3810 could be an effective therapeutic agent, especially against quinolone resistant Salmonella enterica having amino acid substitution at position 87.

Prenatal vitamin A supplementation associated with adverse child behavior at 3 years in a prospective birth cohort in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Many pregnant women take vitamin supplements during pregnancy. The aim of this paper was to clarify the effects of dietary supplementation prior to and/or during pregnancy on child behavior. METHODS: A prospective birth cohort study from pregnancy to 3 years of age involving 1271 pairs of Japanese pregnant women and their newborns, was carried out. The women completed a self-administered questionnaire during the third trimester of pregnancy. To evaluate deviations in child behavior as an endpoint, each mother completed the Japanese Child Behavior Checklist for ages 2-3 years after 3 years of birth. Participant characteristics were compared between supplement takers and non-takers. RESULTS: Among many kinds of supplements, intake of supplemental vitamin A/ß-carotene prior to and/or during pregnancy was associated with hazardous effects on child behavior at 3 years of age (total t-score, P = 0.003; internal t-score, P = 0.027; external t-score, P = 0.013). This association held true even after adjusting for age, number of deliveries, infertility treatment, consumption of fast food, smoking status, maternal and paternal education, maternal and paternal income, gestational age at birth, anthropometry at birth (weight, height, head circumference and body circumference), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory at 3 years of age by means of multiple imputation. CONCLUSIONS: Intake of supplemental vitamin A prior to and/or during pregnancy may worsen child behavior at 3 years of age.

π-Topology and spin alignment in the photo-excited states of phenylanthracene-t-butylnitroxide radicals.

We have studied the relationship between the π-topology and the photo-excited high-spin states of π-conjugated spin systems, 9-anthracen-(3-phenyl-t-butylnitroxide) radical (1m) and 9-anthracen-(4-phenyl-t-butylnitroxide) radical (1p) systems, by time-resolved ESR and transient absorption spectroscopies. For the meta-isomer, 1m, the excited quartet high-spin state (S = 3/2) was observed, while for the para-isomer, 1p, only a weak signal of the doublet state (S = 1/2) was detected. For the quartet state of 1m, the g value and fine-structure parameters have been determined to be g = 2.005, D = 0.0250 cm(-1), and E = ∼0.0 cm(-1). The mechanism of intramolecular spin alignment and the role of spin polarization in the excited states have been discussed based on the spin density distribution calculated by ab initio molecular orbital calculations.

Whole-genome comparison of two same-genotype macrolide-resistant Bordetella pertussis isolates collected in Japan.

The emergence of macrolide-resistant Bordetella pertussis (MRBP) is a significant problem because it reduces treatment options for pertussis and exacerbates the severity and spread of the disease. MRBP has been widely prevalent in mainland China since the 2010s and has been sporadically detected in other Asian countries. In Japan, two MRBP clinical strains were first isolated in Tokyo and Osaka between June and July 2018. The isolates BP616 in Osaka and BP625 in Tokyo harbored the same virulence-associated allelic genes (including ptxP1, ptxA1, prn1, fim3A, and fhaB3) and MT195 genotype and exhibited similar antimicrobial susceptibility profiles. However, despite their simultaneous occurrence, a distinguishable epidemiological link between these isolates could not be established. To gain further insight into the genetic relationship between these isolates in this study, we performed whole-genome analyses. Phylogenetic analysis based on genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms revealed that the isolates belonged to one of the three clades of Chinese MRBP isolates, but there were 11 single-nucleotide polymorphism differences between BP616 and BP625. Genome structure analysis revealed two large inversions (202 and 523 kbp) and one small transposition (3.8 kbp) between the genomes. These findings indicate that the two Japanese MRBP isolates are closely related to Chinese MRBP isolates but are genomically distinct, suggesting that they were introduced into Japan from mainland China through different transmission routes.

Whole-Genome Analysis of Bordetella pertussis MT27 Isolates from School-Associated Outbreaks: Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Diversity and Threshold of the Outbreak Strains.

Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, can cause pertussis outbreaks in humans, especially in school-aged children. Here, we performed whole-genome sequencing of 51 B. pertussis isolates (epidemic strain MT27) collected from patients infected during 6 school-associated outbreaks lasting less than 4 months. We compared their genetic diversity with that of 28 sporadic isolates (non-outbreak MT27 isolates) based on single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Our temporal SNP diversity analysis revealed a mean SNP accumulation rate (time-weighted average) of 0.21 SNPs/genome/year during the outbreaks. The outbreak isolates showed a mean of 0.74 SNP differences (median, 0; range, 0 to 5) between 238 isolate pairs, whereas the sporadic isolates had a mean of 16.12 SNP differences (median, 17; range 0 to 36) between 378 isolate pairs. A low SNP diversity was observed in the outbreak isolates. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that the optimal cutoff value to distinguish between the outbreak and sporadic isolates was 3 SNPs (Youden's index of 0.90 with a true-positive rate of 0.97 and a false-positive rate of 0.07). Based on these results, we propose an epidemiological threshold of ≤3 SNPs per genome as a reliable marker of B. pertussis strain identity during pertussis outbreaks that span less than 4 months. IMPORTANCE Bordetella pertussis is a highly infectious bacterium that easily causes pertussis outbreaks in humans, especially in school-aged children. In detection and investigation of outbreaks, excluding non-outbreak isolates is important for understanding the bacterial transmission routes. Currently, whole-genome sequencing is widely used for outbreak investigations, and the genetic relatedness of outbreak isolates is assessed based on differences in the number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genomes of different isolates. The optimal SNP threshold defining strain identity has been proposed for many bacterial pathogens, but not for B. pertussis. In this study, we performed whole-genome sequencing of 51 B. pertussis outbreak isolates and identified a genetic threshold of ≤3 SNPs per genome as a marker defining the strain identity during pertussis outbreaks. This study provides a useful marker for identifying and analyzing pertussis outbreaks and can serve as a basis for future epidemiological studies on pertussis.

Fim3-dependent autoagglutination of Bordetella pertussis.

Autoagglutination (Agg) of Bordetella pertussis is often observed in clinical laboratory. However, its causal factors and frequency in circulating strains are unknown. Repeated single colony isolation enabled us to detect an Agg- mutant in the supernatant of an Agg+ strain of B. pertussis. Whole-genome sequencing and immunoblot analysis disclosed that the Agg- mutant had a single C-deletion in its fim3 promoter region (Pfim3) which abolished Fim3 fimbriae production. A B. pertussis fim3-knock out mutant also lacked the Agg+ phenotype. Agg+ clinical isolates were detected a higher production of Fim3 than Fim3-producing Agg- isolates. B. pertussis is known to harbor multiple Pfim3 poly(C) lengths within a single strain culture and our newly developed PCR/LDR assay revealed that Agg+ isolates harbor the highest Pfim3 poly-14C abundance. We evaluated the frequency of autoagglutination in clinical B. pertussis isolates collected in Japan between 1994 and 2018 (n = 203). Fim3 production was confirmed for 190 isolates and 74.7% of them displayed the Agg+ phenotype. The Agg+ phenotype was strongly associated with Pfim3 poly-14C abundance. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that B. pertussis autoagglutination occurs in response to high Fim3 levels and the Agg+ strain has predominated in Japan over the past two decades.

The Impact of Substitutions at Positions 1 and 8 of Fluoroquinolones on the Activity Against Mutant DNA Gyrases of Salmonella Typhimurium.

Although many drug-resistant nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) infections are reported globally, their treatment is challenging owing to the ineffectiveness of the currently available antimicrobial drugs against resistant bacteria. It is therefore essential to discover novel antimicrobial drugs for the management of these infections. In this study, we report high inhibitory activities of the novel fluoroquinolones (FQs; WQ-3810 and WQ-3334) with substitutions at positions R-1 by 6-amino-3,5-difluoropyridine-2-yl and R-8 by methyl group or bromine, respectively, against wild-type and mutant DNA gyrases of Salmonella Typhimurium. The inhibitory activities of these FQs were assessed against seven amino acid substitutions in DNA gyrases conferring FQ resistance to S. Typhimurium, including high-level resistant mutants, Ser83Ile and Ser83Phe-Asp87Asn by in vitro DNA supercoiling assay. Drug concentrations of WQ compounds with 6-amino-3,5-difluoropyridine-2-yl that suppressed DNA supercoiling by 50% (IC50) were found to be ∼150-fold lower than ciprofloxacin against DNA gyrase with double amino acid substitutions. Our findings highlight the importance of the chemical structure of an FQ drug on its antimicrobial activity. Particularly, the presence of 6-amino-3,5-difluoropyridine-2-yl at R-1 and either methyl group or bromine at R-8 of WQ-3810 and WQ-3334, respectively, was associated with improved antimicrobial activity. Therefore, WQ-3810 and WQ-3334 are promising candidates for use in the treatment of patients infected by FQ-resistant Salmonella spp.

Exploration of the novel fluoroquinolones with high inhibitory effect against quinolone-resistant DNA gyrase of Salmonella Typhimurium.

IMPORTANCE: Quinolone-resistant nontyphoidal Salmonella is a pressing public health concern, demanding the exploration of novel treatments. In this study, we focused on two innovative synthetic fluoroquinolones, WQ-3034 and WQ-3154. Our findings revealed that these new compounds demonstrate potent inhibitory effects, even against mutant strains that cause resistance to existing quinolones. Hence, WQ-3034 and WQ-3154 could potentially be effective therapeutic agents against quinolone-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium. Furthermore, the data obtained in this study will be baseline information for antimicrobial drug development.

Complete Genome Sequence of a Macrolide-Resistant Bordetella pertussis Isolated in Japan.

We report the complete genome sequence of macrolide-resistant Bordetella pertussis BP616, which was first isolated in 2018 in Japan. The BP616 genome can serve as a valuable specific reference for genomic and epidemiological studies of this resistant bacterium.

The First Reported Case of Bordetella pertussis Bacteremia in a Patient With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.

We describe a case of bacteremia in a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient caused by a Bordetella pertussis strain lacking 2 major virulence factors, filamentous hemagglutinin and fimbriae. Although B pertussis bacteremia is uncommon, physicians should be aware that even attenuated B pertussis strains can cause invasive infection in immunocompromised patients. Bordetella pertussis is a gram-negative coccobacillus that causes a severe paroxysmal coughing disease known as whooping cough or pertussis. Bordetella pertussis colonizes the epithelial cells of the human respiratory tract, and the organisms are typically isolated from nasopharynx. We describe a case of B pertussis bacteremia in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Interestingly, the isolate recovered from blood culture did not produce the major virulence factors, filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) and fimbriae (FIM). Previously, 3 cases of B pertussis bacteremia were reported in the literature. We discuss the features of B pertussis bacteremia.

Genotyping and macrolide-resistant mutation of Bordetella pertussis in East and South-East Asia.

OBJECTIVES: Macrolide-resistant Bordetella pertussis (MRBP) has been emerging and prevailing in mainland China since 2011. In this study, we aimed to investigate the genotype and macrolide resistance of circulating B. pertussis in East and Southeast Asia using genetic analyses. METHODS: A total of 302 DNA extracts from clinical specimens and isolates from 2010 to 2020 were analyzed: 145 from Vietnam, 76 from Cambodia, 48 from Taiwan, and 33 from Japan. Genotypes were determined by multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA). Macrolide-resistant A2047G mutation in B. pertussis 23S rRNA was investigated using the duplex Cycleave real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on two MRBP isolates that were identified for the first time in Taiwan. RESULTS: Overall, 286 DNA extracts (95%) generated a complete MLVA genotype and 283 DNA extracts (94%) yielded a complete result for the A2047G mutation analysis. The A2047G mutation was detected in 18 DNA extracts: fourteen from Vietnam, one from Cambodia, two from Taiwan, and one from Japan. Most of them (78%) showed the genotypes MT104 and MT195, which have previously been reported in Chinese MRBP isolates. Further, the Taiwanese MRBP isolates were classified into the MT104 clade of Chinese MRBP isolates. CONCLUSION: After MRBP emerged and spread in mainland China, it may have spread to East and Southeast Asia in the 2010s. Continued surveillance targeting the A2047G mutation of MRBP is needed to prevent further spread of this emerging pathogen.

Rapid and simple SNP genotyping for Bordetella pertussis epidemic strain MT27 based on a multiplexed single-base extension assay.

Multilocus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) is widely used for genotyping of Bordetella pertussis, the causative bacteria for pertussis. However, MLVA genotyping is losing its discriminate power because prevalence of the epidemic MT27 strain (MLVA-27) is increasing worldwide. To address this, we developed a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping method for MT27 based on multiplexed single-base extension (SBE) assay. A total of 237 MT27 isolates collected in Japan during 1999-2018 were genotyped and classified into ten SNP genotypes (SG1 to SG10) with a Simpson's diversity index (DI) of 0.79 (95% CI 0.76-0.82). Temporal trends showed a marked increase in the genotypic diversity in the 2010s: Simpson's DI was zero in 1999-2004, 0.16 in 2005-2009, 0.83 in 2010-2014, and 0.76 in 2015-2018. This indicates that the SNP genotyping is applicable to the recently circulating MT27 strain. Additionally, almost all outbreak-associated MT27 isolates were classified into the same SNP genotypes for each outbreak. Multiplexed SBE assay allows for rapid and simple genotyping, indicating that the SNP genotyping can potentially be a useful tool for subtyping the B. pertussis MT27 strain in routine surveillance and outbreak investigations.

Amino Acid Substitution Ser83Ile in GyrA of DNA Gyrases Confers High-Level Quinolone Resistance to Nontyphoidal Salmonella Without Loss of Supercoiling Activity.

Aims: Quinolone-resistant nontyphoidal Salmonella having serine replaced by isoleucine at the 83rd amino acid in GyrA (GyrA-Ser83Ile) has recently been found in Asian countries. In this study, we aimed to examine the direct effect of substitution Ser83Ile on DNA gyrase activity and/or resistance to quinolones. Materials and Methods: Using 50% of the maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of quinolones, recombinant wild type (WT) and seven mutant DNA gyrases having amino acid substitutions, including Ser83Ile, were screened for enzymatic activity that causes supercoils in relaxed plasmid DNA and resistance to quinolones. Results: Little differences in supercoiling activity were observed between WT and mutant DNA gyrases. By contrast, the IC50s of ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin against GyrA-Ser83Ile/GyrB-WT were 11.6 and 73.3 µg/mL, respectively, which were the highest used against the DNA gyrases examined in this study. Conclusion: Ser83Ile in GyrA was shown to confer high-level quinolone resistance to DNA gyrases of nontyphoidal Salmonella, with no loss of supercoiling activity. Salmonella strain carrying GyrA with Ser83Ile may emerge under a high-concentration pressure of quinolones and easily spread even with no selection bias by quinolones. Hence, avoiding the overuse of quinolones is needed to prevent the spread of Salmonella with Ser83Ile in GyrA.

Effectiveness of Fluoroquinolones with Difluoropyridine Derivatives as R1 Groups on the Salmonella DNA Gyrase in the Presence and Absence of Plasmid-Encoded Quinolone Resistance Protein QnrB19.

Aims: WQ-3810 has strong inhibitory activity against Salmonella and other fluoroquinolone-resistant pathogens. The unique potentiality of this is attributed to 6-amino-3,5-difluoropyridine-2-yl at R1 group. The aim of this study was to examine WQ-3810 and its derivatives WQ-3334 and WQ-4065 as the new drug candidate for wild-type Salmonella and that carrying QnrB19. Materials and Methods: The half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of WQ-3810, WQ-3334 (Br atom in place of methyl group at R8), and WQ-4065 (6-ethylamino-3,5-difluoropyridine-2-yl in place of 6-amino-3,5-difluoropyridine-2-yl group at R1) in the presence or absence of QnrB19 were assessed by in vitro DNA supercoiling assay utilizing recombinant DNA gyrase and QnrB19. Results: IC50s of WQ-3810, WQ-3334, and WQ-4065 against Salmonella DNA gyrase were 0.031 ± 0.003, 0.068 ± 0.016, and 0.72 ± 0.39 µg/mL, respectively, while QnrB19 increased IC50s of WQ-3810, WQ-3334, and WQ-4065 to 0.44 ± 0.05, 0.92 ± 0.34, and 9.16 ± 2.21 µg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: WQ-3810 and WQ-3334 showed stronger inhibitory activity against Salmonella Typhimurium DNA gyrases than WQ-4065 even in the presence of QnrB19. The results suggest that 6-amino-3,5-difluoropyridine-2-yl group at R1 is playing an important role and WQ-3810 and WQ-3334 to be good candidates for Salmonella carrying QnrB19.

Interaction of Quinolones Carrying New R1 Group with Mycobacterium leprae DNA Gyrase.

Background: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae and the treatment of choice is ofloxacin (OFX). Specific amino acid substitutions in DNA gyrase of M. leprae have been reported leading to resistance against the drug. In our previous study, WQ-3810, a fluoroquinolone with a new R1 group (6-amino-3,5-difluoropyridin-2-yl) was shown to have a strong inhibitory activity on OFX-resistant DNA gyrases of M. leprae, and the structural characteristics of its R1 group was predicted to enhance the inhibitory activity. Methodology/Principal Finding: To further understand the contribution of the R1 group, WQ-3334 with the same R1 group as WQ-3810, WQ-4064, and WQ-4065, but with slightly modified R1 group, were assessed on their activities against recombinant DNA gyrase of M. leprae. An in silico study was conducted to understand the molecular interactions between DNA gyrase and WQ compounds. WQ-3334 and WQ-3810 were shown to have greater inhibitory activity against M. leprae DNA gyrase than others. Furthermore, analysis using quinolone-resistant M. leprae DNA gyrases showed that WQ-3334 had greater inhibitory activity than WQ-3810. The R8 group was shown to be a factor for the linkage of the R1 groups with GyrB by an in silico study. Conclusions/Significance: The inhibitory effect of WQ compounds that have a new R1 group against M. leprae DNA gyrase can be enhanced by improving the binding affinity with different R8 group molecules. The information obtained by this work could be applied to design new fluoroquinolones effective for quinolone-resistant M. leprae and other bacterial pathogens.