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High-throughput Identification of Synergistic Drug Combinations by the Overlap2 Method
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High-throughput Identification of Synergistic Drug Combinations by the Overlap2 Method

Published on: May 21, 2018

Synergy of fosmidomycin (FR-31564) and other antimicrobial agents

H C Neu, T Kamimura

    Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
    |October 1, 1982
    PubMed

    Insights

    Fosmidomycin (FR-31564), a phosphonic acid derivative, shows synergistic effects when combined with various antibiotics like penicillins, cephalosporins, and trimethoprim against a significant percentage of tested bacteria, including resistant strains.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Pharmacology
    • Infectious Diseases

    Background:

    • Fosmidomycin (FR-31564) is a phosphonic acid derivative with potential antimicrobial properties.
    • Understanding synergistic antibiotic combinations is crucial for combating bacterial infections and overcoming resistance.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the synergistic activity of fosmidomycin when combined with various antibiotics against a range of bacterial isolates.
    • To determine the efficacy of fosmidomycin in combination therapies against both susceptible and resistant bacterial strains.

    Main Methods:

    • Testing fosmidomycin in combination with cefazolin, cephalexin, ampicillin, carbenicillin, ticarcillin, gentamicin, and trimethoprim.
    • Evaluating synergistic effects against various bacterial species, including Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas.
    • Assessing synergy against antibiotic-resistant isolates.

    Main Results:

    • Synergy between fosmidomycin and penicillins/cephalosporins observed in 37-52% of Enterobacteriaceae.
    • Synergy with trimethoprim found in 55% of isolates; with gentamicin in only 17%.
    • Significant synergy (35%) noted between fosmidomycin and ticarcillin against Pseudomonas isolates; antagonism was not observed.

    Conclusions:

    • Fosmidomycin exhibits synergistic activity with several antibiotics, highlighting its potential as a combination therapy agent.
    • The combination of fosmidomycin with different antibiotics can overcome resistance mechanisms in various bacterial species.
    • Targeting different bacterial mechanisms through drug combinations is an effective strategy against bacterial infections.

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