New Weapons to Fight against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Skin Infections

• Main Authors: Eliana M. Cela (Author), Dolores Urquiza (Author), Marisa I. Gómez (Author), Cintia D. Gonzalez (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2023-09-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.3390/antibiotics12101477; 2079-6382
• Keywords: <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>; skin infections; antibiotic resistance; drug delivery; drug bioavailability; experimental therapies; Therapeutics. Pharmacology; RM1-950
• Source: Antibiotics, Vol 12, Iss 10, p 1477 (2023)

The treatment of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> skin and soft tissue infections faces several challenges, such as the increased incidence of antibiotic-resistant strains and the fact that the antibiotics available to treat methicillin-resistant <i>S. aureus</i> present low bioavailability, are not easily metabolized, and cause severe secondary effects. Moreover, besides the susceptibility pattern of the <i>S. aureus</i> isolates detected in vitro, during patient treatment, the antibiotics may never encounter the bacteria because <i>S. aureus</i> hides within biofilms or inside eukaryotic cells. In addition, vascular compromise as well as other comorbidities of the patient may impede proper arrival to the skin when the antibiotic is given parenterally. In this manuscript, we revise some of the more promising strategies to improve antibiotic sensitivity, bioavailability, and delivery, including the combination of antibiotics with bactericidal nanomaterials, chemical inhibitors, antisense oligonucleotides, and lytic enzymes, among others. In addition, alternative non-antibiotic-based experimental therapies, including the delivery of antimicrobial peptides, bioactive glass nanoparticles or nanocrystalline cellulose, phototherapies, and hyperthermia, are also reviewed.