Future Chemotherapy Preventing Emergence of Multi-Antibiotic Resistance

Abstract

The authors and all of the faculty at the Department of Bacteriology (Dept. of Microbiology from April 2015) have studied methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a representative multi-drug-resistant pathogen prevalent globally. During this study, we have identified the extreme flexibility of this organism to survive antibiotic pressure. S. aureus is part of the normal flora of human beings, yet it possesses high pathogenic potential, being aptly called ‘the department of toxins’. We are probably destined to continue our lives in association with this dangerous neighbor. For this reason, in 2008, KH launched a new project searching for novel antibiotics that are effective against MRSA. A newly found antibiotic called nybomycin has a curious property: it is effective against quinolone-resistant S. aureus strains (including most MRSA), but not against quinolone-susceptible ones. Moreover, the mutant strains derived from the parent S. aureus strain after treatment with nybomycin were cured of their quinolone resistance. Subsequently, we found an antibiotic with the same property in flavones, too. We designated these antibiotics with such unique properties reverse antibiotics (RA). By using RA and extant antibiotics in a well-controlled way, we should be able to establish sophisticated anti-microbial chemotherapy in the future.