Alternative Approaches to Managing Microbial Susceptibility in a Post-antibiotic Era

Dougan Burciu^*
*Correspondence: Dougan Burciu, Department of Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada, Email:

Keywords

Antibiotic resistance • Microbial susceptibility • Phage therapy • Probiotics • Immunomodulation • Antimicrobial peptides • Drug delivery systems

Introduction

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant microbes poses a significant threat to public health globally. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics have accelerated the development of resistance, rendering many conventional antibiotics ineffective against once-treatable infections. In this post-antibiotic era, exploring alternative approaches to managing microbial susceptibility is paramount to combatting infectious diseases effectively. Phage therapy involves the use of bacteriophages, viruses that infect and kill bacteria, as a treatment for bacterial infections. Unlike antibiotics, which target a broad spectrum of bacteria including beneficial ones, phages are highly specific to their bacterial hosts, minimizing disruption to the body's microbiota. Phage therapy offers a promising alternative for treating multidrug-resistant infections, particularly in cases where conventional antibiotics fail [1].

Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. These beneficial bacteria can compete with pathogenic microbes for resources and colonization sites within the body, thereby reducing the risk of infection. By promoting a balanced microbial community, probiotics enhance the body's natural defense mechanisms against pathogens. Incorporating probiotics into treatment regimens may help prevent and manage microbial infections, particularly in vulnerable populations. Immunomodulatory therapies focus on modulating the immune response to enhance the body's ability to fight infections. Rather than targeting the microbes directly, these approaches aim to bolster the host's immune defenses, thereby reducing the reliance on antimicrobial agents. Immunomodulators such as cytokines, monoclonal antibodies and vaccines can enhance immune surveillance and response, providing an alternative strategy for managing microbial susceptibility [2].

Literature Review

Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) are naturally occurring molecules found in various organisms, including humans, plants and animals. These peptides exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi and viruses. Unlike conventional antibiotics, which often target specific cellular processes, AMPs disrupt microbial membranes, making them less prone to resistance development. Harnessing the therapeutic potential of AMPs offers a novel approach to combating microbial infections, particularly those resistant to conventional antibiotics. Innovative drug delivery systems aim to optimize the delivery of antimicrobial agents to target sites while minimizing systemic side effects. Nanotechnology-based platforms, such as liposomes, nanoparticles and hydrogels, offer precise control over drug release kinetics and targeting specificity. By enhancing drug efficacy and reducing toxicity, these advanced delivery systems can overcome microbial resistance mechanisms and improve therapeutic outcomes in the post-antibiotic era [3].

The escalating threat of antibiotic-resistant microbes necessitates a paradigm shift in the management of microbial susceptibility. Alternative approaches such as phage therapy, probiotics, immunomodulation, antimicrobial peptides and innovative drug delivery systems offer promising solutions to address this challenge. Embracing these alternative strategies is crucial for preserving the efficacy of antimicrobial treatments and ensuring sustainable solutions for combating infectious diseases in the future. Phage therapy has gained renewed interest as a potential solution to antibiotic resistance. Bacteriophages are viruses that infect and replicate within bacteria, ultimately leading to their destruction. Unlike antibiotics, which can indiscriminately kill both harmful and beneficial bacteria, phages are highly specific to their target bacteria. This specificity minimizes disruption to the body's microbiota, reducing the risk of secondary infections and other adverse effects commonly associated with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Phage therapy has shown promise in treating various bacterial infections, including those caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) [4].

Probiotics are living microorganisms, primarily bacteria and yeasts, that confer health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. By colonizing the gastrointestinal tract and other mucosal surfaces, probiotics help maintain a balanced microbial ecosystem, thereby preventing the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria. Probiotic strains such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species have been studied for their ability to enhance immune function, improve gut barrier integrity and inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria through competition for nutrients and adhesion sites. Incorporating probiotics into clinical practice holds promise for preventing and managing gastrointestinal and urogenital infections, as well as reducing the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridioides difficile infection [5].

Discussion

Immunomodulatory therapies aim to modulate the immune response to enhance the body's ability to recognize and eliminate microbial pathogens. Unlike antimicrobial agents, which directly target the invading microbes, immunomodulators focus on enhancing the host's innate and adaptive immune defenses. For example, cytokines such as interferons and interleukins can stimulate immune cell activation and proliferation, leading to enhanced pathogen clearance. Monoclonal antibodies can specifically target microbial antigens or virulence factors, neutralizing their activity and facilitating their clearance by immune cells. Vaccines, either prophylactic or therapeutic, can induce long-lasting immunity against specific pathogens, reducing the risk of infection or disease severity. Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) are naturally occurring molecules found in various organisms, including humans, plants and animals. These peptides exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi and viruses by disrupting microbial cell membranes or interfering with intracellular processes. Unlike conventional antibiotics, which often target specific cellular components, AMPs exert their antimicrobial effects through multiple mechanisms, making them less prone to resistance development. AMPs hold promise as novel therapeutic agents for treating various infections, including those caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens [6].

Conclusion

Innovative drug delivery systems aim to optimize the delivery of antimicrobial agents to target sites while minimizing systemic side effects and overcoming barriers to drug efficacy. Nanotechnology-based platforms, such as liposomes, nanoparticles and hydrogels, offer unique advantages for antimicrobial drug delivery. These nanocarriers can encapsulate antimicrobial agents, protect them from degradation and facilitate their controlled release at the site of infection. Furthermore, surface modifications with targeting ligands can enhance the specificity of drug delivery to infected tissues or cells, improving therapeutic outcomes and reducing the risk of resistance development. Incorporating these alternative approaches into clinical practice requires further research to elucidate their safety, efficacy and optimal use. Additionally, interdisciplinary collaboration between microbiologists, immunologists, pharmacologists and clinicians is essential to accelerate the translation of these innovative strategies into clinical applications. By embracing a multifaceted approach to managing microbial susceptibility, we can overcome the challenges posed by antibiotic resistance and ensure effective treatment options for infectious diseases in the post-antibiotic era.

Acknowledgement

None.

Conflict of Interest

None.

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