Pathogen-targeting glycovesicles as a therapy for salmonellosis

Abstract

Antibiotic therapy is usually not recommended for salmonellosis, as it is associated with prolonged fecal carriage without reducing symptom duration or severity. Here we show that antibiotics encapsulated in hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)-responsive glycovesicles may be potentially useful for the treatment of salmonellosis. The antibiotics are released in the presence of Salmonella, which is known to produce H₂S. This approach prevents the quick absorption of antibiotics into the bloodstream, allows localized targeting of the pathogen in the gut, and alleviates disease symptoms in a mouse infection model. In addition, it reduces antibiotic-induced changes in the gut microbiota, and increases the abundance of potentially beneficial lactobacilli due to the release of prebiotic xylooligosaccharide analogs.