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Repurposing auranofin as an intestinal decolonizing agent for vancomycin-resistant enterococci

Ahmed AbdelKhalek1, Nader S Abutaleb1, Khalifa A Elmagarmid1

  • 1Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.

Scientific Reports
|May 31, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Auranofin, an arthritis drug, shows promise in eliminating vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) gut colonization. It effectively reduced VRE in mice, offering a new strategy against these dangerous superbugs.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Multidrug-resistant enterococci, particularly vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), pose a significant threat requiring novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Gut colonization by VRE is a primary route for infection and patient-to-patient transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate auranofin, an FDA-approved drug for rheumatoid arthritis, as a potential gastrointestinal decolonizing agent for VRE.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed auranofin's antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity against diverse enterococcal isolates.
  • Investigated the development of resistance through serial passage.
  • Evaluated auranofin's efficacy in an in vivo mouse model compared to linezolid.

Main Results:

  • Auranofin demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity against VRE with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1 μg/mL.
  • No resistant mutants were observed after 14 passages.
  • Auranofin significantly reduced VRE burden in murine feces, cecum, and ileum, outperforming linezolid in vivo.

Conclusions:

  • Auranofin exhibits significant potential as a novel gastrointestinal decolonizing agent for VRE.
  • Its efficacy in reducing VRE colonization and burden suggests a promising therapeutic application.

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