High-Throughput Approaches for the Identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Antivirulents

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is a serious medical threat, particularly given the decreasing rate of discovery of new treatments. Although attempts to find new treatments continue, it has become clear that merely discovering new antimicrobials, even if they are new classes, will be insufficient. It is essential that new strategies be aggressively pursued. Toward that end, the search for treatments that can mitigate bacterial virulence and tilt the balance of host-pathogen interactions in favor of the host has become increasingly popular. In this review, we will discuss recent progress in this field, with a special focus on synthetic small molecule antivirulents that have been identified from high-throughput screens and on treatments that are effective against the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Anti-Virulence Activity of the Cell-Free Supernatant of the Antarctic Bacterium Psychrobacter sp. TAE2020 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clinical Isolates from Cystic Fibrosis Patients

“…Taking into account these assumptions and in consideration of the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, it is mandatory to focus research not only on the discovery of new antimicrobials but also on the development of innovative therapeutic treatments. A promising strategy could be based on targeting the virulence features of a pathogen, in order to block its ability to inflict injury, helping to slow down pathogenetic mechanisms and restore bacterial clearance by the host [ 29 , 30 ].…”

PqsE Expands and Differentially Modulates the RhlR Quorum Sensing Regulon in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

“… P. aeruginosa QS plays a crucial role in biofilm formation and the regulation of multiple virulence factors, including pyocyanin, rhamnolipids, hydrogen cyanide, LasB elastase, LasA protease, and LecA and LecB lectins ( 3 , 4 ). Consequently, QS interference is considered a promising strategy for reducing P. aeruginosa pathogenicity ( 5 – 9 ).…”

Repurposing the Veterinary Antibiotic Apramycin for Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa From Cystic Fibrosis Patients

“…The rise in antibiotic resistance made urgently necessary the exploitation of alternative antibacterial strategies, such as antivirulence therapy (Kang et al, 2021). This approach might be useful for P. aeruginosa whose extensive repertoire of virulence factors, along with its adaptability, facilitate its persistence into the hostile environment of the CF airways (Jurado-Martín et al, 2021;Rossi et al, 2021).…”