In a significant advancement in the fight against antibiotic resistance, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) have identified a promising molecule, IITR08367, which offers new hope in combating drug-resistant infections.
Antibiotic resistance is a critical global issue, with the World Health Organization forecasting that by 2050, resistant infections could claim millions of lives annually. Acinetobacter baumannii, a particularly resistant pathogen, often neutralizes the antibiotic fosfomycin through robust defense mechanisms such as biofilm formation and the AbaF efflux pump, which expels antibiotics from bacterial cells, making treatment challenging.
The research team led by Prof. Ranjana Pathania at IIT Roorkee has discovered IITR08367, a molecule that effectively inhibits the AbaF efflux pump, thereby reducing the expulsion of fosfomycin from bacterial cells and enhancing its efficacy against A. baumannii. This discovery not only revives the effectiveness of fosfomycin but also addresses the issue of bacterial biofilm formation, which further contributes to antibiotic resistance. Preclinical studies have shown that IITR08367 is both safe and effective, offering a promising solution for treating A. baumannii infections.
Published in the American Chemical Society Journal – ACS Infectious Diseases, this breakthrough could significantly transform treatment options for urinary tract infections caused by multidrug-resistant A. baumannii.
As reported by Ten News, the research team, including Mahak Saini, Dr. Amit Gaurav, and Arsalan Hussain, is now advancing IITR08367 towards potential clinical trials. This phase will evaluate the molecule’s safety, efficacy, and potential side effects in humans, moving closer to addressing antibiotic resistance on a global scale.