Publications and Research
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Spring 5-12-2025
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) in humans, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a significant global health concern, resulting in high disease burden and mortality each year which together make it the world’s topmost infectious killer. The emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in recent decades has further exacerbated the present situation and warrants an urgent need to develop and investigate innovative treatment regimes. This study aims to assess the therapeutic potential of newly identified drug candidates, namely Bedaquiline, Delamanid, and Linezolid, in treating MDR-TB. We adopted a consolidated and integrated approach encompassing a thorough literature review, empirical experimental studies, multiple sequence alignments, and computational analyses, towards an in-depth analysis of the gene targets of these drugs and their efficacy in M. tuberculosis. Our findings indicate the significant potential of these drugs for tackling and treating drug-resistant TB, especially when synergized with prevailing first-line and second-line drugs. Notably, our results show a stark difference in the proteins and enzymes targeted by these drugs in mycobacteria versus those of the representative gut bacteria, providing a rationale for the minimal or mild side effects while administering these drugs in TB patients. Despite current infectious disease crises, including the COVID-19 disease, developing novel antibiotic treatments remains paramount against several serious bacterial pathogens. Our research offers a renewed perspective on enhancing therapeutic interventions by delving into drug combinatorial therapy against deadly infections, akin to those employed against drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Included in
Genetics and Genomics Commons, Immunology and Infectious Disease Commons, Microbiology Commons
Comments
This work was first presented at the 2025 American Physiology Summit, on April 25th in Baltimore, MD, USA.