Delineating the potential of bioenergetics in drug discovery against Mycobacteriumabscessus

Pulmonary and skin infections caused by Mycobacterium abscessus, a rapidly growing non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM), are becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. Managing these infections is particularly challenging due to the bacterium's inherent resistance to many antibiotics, often resulting in extended treatment periods or therapeutic failure. With few effective drugs available, identifying new therapeutic targets is critical. A promising approach involves targeting the pathogen's energy metabolism, specifically the electron transport chain (ETC), which plays a vital role in its survival and virulence. This review explores the essential components of the ETC in Mycobacterium abscessus as potential drug targets to support and expedite the development of novel treatments.