Exotoxin-Targeted Drug Modalities as Antibiotic Alternatives.

ABSTRACT: The paradigm of antivirulence therapy dictates that bacterial pathogens are specifically disarmed but not killed by neutralizing their virulence factors. Clearance of the invading pathogen by the immune system is promoted. As compared to antibiotics, the pathogen-selective antivirulence drugs hold promise to minimize collateral damage to the beneficial microbiome. Also, selective pressure for resistance is expected to be lower because bacterial viability is not directly affected. Antivirulence drugs are being developed for stand-alone prophylactic and therapeutic treatments but also for combinatorial use with antibiotics. This Review focuses on drug modalities that target bacterial exotoxins after the secretion or release-upon-lysis. Exotoxins have a significant and sometimes the primary r

SUBMITTER: Sakari M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8922280 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature