A Gram-negative-selective antibiotic that spares the gut microbiome

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07502-0?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9JtP_V-4bhh2hMeKqr7ch06zOe8aua2Yy9uZ7SNQmV1zH5umfVGCauvVB_qRhyfV2BgQu8faSok8YL0kLPxQvvOhVCWQ&_hsmi=309503763&utm_content=309503763&utm_source=hs_email Scientists test an antibiotic to treat multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria in mice Gram-negative bacteria are the supervillains of pathogens: They are common, aggressive, and need treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics, which can disrupt the gut microbiome and lead to further infection. The bacteria can also easily evolve to develop antimicrobial resistance. But a study published in Nature details research into a new weapon that could fight back against these superbugs: an experimental antibiotic called lolamicin. The antibiotic targets the lipoprotein transport system, or “Lol system,” which is unique to Gram-negative bacteria. Lolamicin was effective against 130 different types of multi-drug resistant bacteria in the lab, and successfully treated infected mice that developed acute pneumonia and septicemia, without affecting their gut microbiome. In the study’s control group, 87% of untreated mice with the same infections died.