Cefixime (FR-17027) is a broad-spectrum, third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic derived semisynthetically from the marine fungus Cephalosporium acremonium with antibacterial activity. As does penicillin, the beta-lactam antibiotic cefixime inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by disrupting peptidoglycan synthesis, resulting in a reduction in bacterial cell wall stability and bacterial cell lysis. Stable in the presence of a variety of beta-lactamases, this agent is more active against gram-negative bacteria and less active against gram-positive bacteria compared to second-generation cephalosporins.

The morphological changes of serovar Typhimurium FP39 in THP-1 cells are studied by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Infected THP-1 cells are treated for 4 h with 0.5 μg of cefixime/ml. (Only for Reference)