Can Drug Repurposing be Effective Against Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii?

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has been classified as a top priority for the development of new therapies due to its resistance to most antibiotics. Drug repurposing may be a fast and inexpensive strategy for treating this pathogen. This review aims to critically evaluate repurposed drugs for the treatment of infections caused by carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii, correlating their antimicrobial activity with data available for toxicity and side effects. Some drugs have been suggested as promising candidates for repurposing; however, in some cases, high toxicity and low plasma concentrations reduce applicability in clinical practice. The most favorable applicability is offered by fusidic acid and colistin, possibly combined with a third agent, promising to be well tolerated and achieving satisfactory plasma concentrations.