Antimicrobials: An update on new strategies to diversify treatment for bacterial infections.

Ninety-five years after Fleming's discovery of penicillin, a bounty of antibiotic compounds have been discovered, modified, or synthesised. Diversification of target sites, improved stability and altered activity spectra have enabled continued antibiotic efficacy, but overwhelming reliance and misuse has fuelled the global spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). An estimated 1.

Secondary messenger signalling influences Pseudomonas aeruginosa adaptation to sinus and lung environments.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a cause of chronic respiratory tract infections in people with cystic fibrosis (CF), non-CF bronchiectasis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Prolonged infection allows the accumulation of mutations and horizontal gene transfer, increasing the likelihood of adaptive phenotypic traits. Adaptation is proposed to arise first in bacterial populations colonizing upper airway environments.

Preclinical testing of antimicrobials for cystic fibrosis lung infections: current needs and future priorities.

A workshop was held by the PIPE-CF strategic research centre to consider preclinical testing of antimicrobials for cystic fibrosis (CF). The workshop brought together groups of people from the CF community to discuss current challenges and identify priorities when developing CF therapeutics. This paper summarizes the key points from the workshop from the different sessions, including talks given by presenters on the day and round table discussions.