Multiresistant ESBL-producing uropathogens - studies of antibacterial strategies and pathogenesis mechanisms

Multidrug-resistant extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) are today an emerging global threat with limited treatment alternatives. New therapeutic strategies against multiresistant ESBL-producing UPECare necessary to be able to treat infections like urinary tract infections (UTI) in the future. 

We are currently studying CO-releasing molecules (CORMs) as antibacterial agents against UPEC, including ESBL-producers. The effect of CORMs on intracellular bacteria and biofilm formation are also addressed. Most ESBL-producing UPEC is multidrug-resistant and combination treatments with several antibiotics, which strike against different bacterial targets, are likely to be necessary in the future. This project examines different combination treatments as novel antibacterial concepts against multidrug-resistant UPEC.  

Antivirulence strategies that disarm the pathogen, rather than kill or halt pathogen growth, have been hypothesized to generate weaker selection for resistance development than antibiotics with bactericidal effects. We are investigating the pathogenic potential of ESBL-producing isolates and in particular it’s potential to manipulate or dampening host cell activation.