Published online Dec 9, 2014. doi: 10.5497/wjp.v3.i4.97
Revised: October 30, 2014
Accepted: November 7, 2014
Published online: December 9, 2014
Antivirulence therapy inhibits bacterial virulence factors, thus preventing the development of infection without affecting bacterial growth. The development of new antibiotics is complicated by the increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria. Antivirulence therapy is a promising alternative to traditional antibiotic therapy for the treatment of infectious disease, either alone or in combination with antibiotic treatment. In this review, we consider patents concerning inhibition of several bacterial virulence factors: adhesion/colonization, secretion systems, cellular signalling systems and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. Finally, we emphasize the importance of analyzing new targets and/or molecules in this field and of considering possible resistance mechanisms.
Core tip: Antimicrobial resistance in nosocomial pathogens has increased dramatically in recent years. The development of new molecules, therapies and/or new combinations for the eradication of these pathogens is therefore imperative. A new line of research in this area is called “Antivirulence Therapy”.