Neisseria gonorrhoeae Becomes Susceptible to Polymyxin B and Colistin in the Presence of PBT2

ACS Infect Dis. 2020 Jan 10;6(1):50-55. doi: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.9b00307. Epub 2019 Nov 11.

Abstract

Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae) causes the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea, which has a global incidence of 106 million cases per year. No vaccine is available to prevent the disease, and the emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) strains makes N. gonorrhoeae an immediate public health threat. Here, we show that an ionophore, PBT2, can reverse the intrinsic resistance of N. gonorrhoeae to polymyxin B and colistin. These antibiotics administered in combination with PBT2 may be an effective path to treat MDR gonococcal infections.

Keywords: Gram-negative bacteria; PBT2; colistin; multidrug resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae; polymyxin B; synergy.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Clioquinol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Clioquinol / pharmacology
  • Colistin / pharmacology*
  • Drug Synergism
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / drug effects*
  • Polymyxin B / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • PBT2 compound
  • Clioquinol
  • Polymyxin B
  • Colistin