About this Research Topic
Antibiotics have been prominent in the control of pathogenic bacterial infections. However, the increasing emergence of antimicrobial resistance is compromising their effectiveness and represents a global crisis that threatens a century of public health progress. Novel strategies to combat infectious diseases are urgently required. This is particularly true for zoonotic diseases, as they are an important drivers and reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance development and so contribute greatly to the problem. Novel approaches should combine multiple antibacterial strategies with different modes of action to prevent or slow the emergence of antibiotic resistance.
This Research Topic herein aims to publish novel effective and feasible intervention strategies currently in development that may target multiple levels of bacterial life to increase the efficacy of standard antibiotics, or involve alternative molecules or alternative approaches that provide limited or no selection pressure for the emergence of resistant bacteria. We also encourage approaches that though may not directly inhibit survival or growth of pathogens, can directly cell mechanisms/properties involved in any of the individual stages of cell survival, such as cell metabolism, attachment to a surface, communication/interaction with other bacteria, interaction with hosts, biofilm formation and spread, virulence. Therefore, research methods that focus on physiology, metabolism and intercellular communication at different levels are expected and may lead to novel strategies to enable a successful and effective global strategy to reduce or control zoonotic bacteria in different circumstances. It is also important to consider the OneHealth principle, that recognizes the interconnectedness of humans, animals, plants, and their shared environment.
With this Research Topic, we aim to compile a collection of articles that address novel antibacterial approaches that combine multiple strategies:
• Novel approaches to enhance current antimicrobial activity or efficacy against zoonotic bacteria
• Alternative antimicrobials of diverse origin or pure compounds with a focus on their mechanism of action
• Evaluation of various potential targets at different levels, from molecular and cellular to biofilm properties
We look forward to your contribution in this Research Topic!
This Research Topic herein aims to publish novel effective and feasible intervention strategies currently in development that may target multiple levels of bacterial life to increase the efficacy of standard antibiotics, or involve alternative molecules or alternative approaches that provide limited or no selection pressure for the emergence of resistant bacteria. We also encourage approaches that though may not directly inhibit survival or growth of pathogens, can directly cell mechanisms/properties involved in any of the individual stages of cell survival, such as cell metabolism, attachment to a surface, communication/interaction with other bacteria, interaction with hosts, biofilm formation and spread, virulence. Therefore, research methods that focus on physiology, metabolism and intercellular communication at different levels are expected and may lead to novel strategies to enable a successful and effective global strategy to reduce or control zoonotic bacteria in different circumstances. It is also important to consider the OneHealth principle, that recognizes the interconnectedness of humans, animals, plants, and their shared environment.
With this Research Topic, we aim to compile a collection of articles that address novel antibacterial approaches that combine multiple strategies:
• Novel approaches to enhance current antimicrobial activity or efficacy against zoonotic bacteria
• Alternative antimicrobials of diverse origin or pure compounds with a focus on their mechanism of action
• Evaluation of various potential targets at different levels, from molecular and cellular to biofilm properties
We look forward to your contribution in this Research Topic!
Keywords: pathogenic bacteria, biofilm, antimicrobials, antibiotic multiple targets, novel antibacterial approaches, antibacterial resistance, drug discovery, infectious diseases, zoonosis, OneHealth, mechanism of action, combined therapy
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
