Non-antibiotics reverse resistance of bacteria to antibiotics

J. E. Kristiansen, V. F. Thomsen , A, Martins , Miguel Viveiros Bettencourt, Leonard Amaral

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Most clinical isolates that exhibit a multi-drug resistant phenotype owe that resistance to over-expressed efflux pumps. Compounds that are efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) reduce or reverse resistance to antibiotics to which the bacterial strain is initially resistant. We have evaluated non-antibiotics to reduce resistance of commonly encountered bacterial pathogens to antibiotics. Materials and Methods: The effect of non-antibiotics on the susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotics was conducted by minimum inhibition concentration determinations of the antibiotic in the absence and presence of the non-antibiotic. Results: Non-antibiotics such as chlorpromazine, amitryptiline and transchlorprothixene are shown to reduce or reverse resistance of a variety of bacteria to antibiotics. Conclusion: The results suggest that non-antibiotics may serve as adjuncts to conventional antibiotics for the therapy of problematic antibiotic infections caused by bacteria that owe their resistance to over-expressed efflux pumps.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)751-754
Number of pages4
JournalIn Vivo
Volume24
Issue number5
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2010

Keywords

  • Non-antibiotics
  • Bacteria
  • Antibiotics
  • Reversal of resistance

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