Colistin-Azidothymidine Synergy Against Enterobacteriaceae

A new study resurrects the concept of repurposing clinically available compounds such as AZT as adjunctive therapy against multidrug-resistant pathogens.

Literature from 30 years ago showed activity of the antiretroviral drug azidothymidine (AZT), used in the treatment of HIV, against Escherichia coli via inhibition of DNA synthesis. However, at that time, the pressing need for novel approaches to treat multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria was not as great as it is today. A new study resurrects the concept of potentially repurposing clinically available compounds such as AZT as adjunctive therapy against MDR pathogens. The investigators examined the pharmacodynamic interaction of AZT with colistin in vitro via checkerboard and time kill assays, and in vivo utilizing a murine peritonitis model.

By itself, AZT activity by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was not particularly i…

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