Early Research Indicates Promise of a Novel Class of Antibiotic Against Acinetobacter baumannii

Zosurabalpin, a macrocyclic peptide antibiotic that blocks transport of bacterial lipopolysaccharide, showed activity against carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii.

Development of novel antibiotics against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is a high priority. Now, investigators report early-stage research on tethered macrocyclic peptide (MCP) antibiotics with potent activity against CRAB, culminating in the selection of zosurabalpin (ZAB) as an agent potentially worth further clinical development.

Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of ZAB against CRAB isolates ranged from 0.12–1.0 mg/L. ZAB was inactive against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. ZAB's target was identified as the inner membrane molecular complex that blocks lipopolysaccharide transport from the inner bacterial membrane to the outer bacteri…

Reviewing Author

George Sakoulas, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParatek Pharmaceuticals; Nestle Corp.; AbbVie; Shionogi

Speaker’s BureauAllergan/AbbVie; Paratek Pharmaceuticals; Nestle Corp.

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy; Open Forum Infectious Diseases