Therapeutics: S. aureus

In vitro, human blood and mouse studies suggest naftifine could help prevent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. Screening and testing in multiple MRSA cultures of 412 drugs identified naftifine as an inhibitor of the biosynthesis of the MRSA antioxidant staphyloxanthin, with an IC50 value of 1.08-2.91 μM. In whole human blood infected with MRSA, pretreatment of bacteria with naftifine decreased bacterial survival in blood compared with no treatment. In a mouse model of MRSA infection, pretreatment with naftifine decreased bacterial levels in the heart, liver and kidney and increased survival compared with vehicle. Next steps could include testing compounds in animal models of MRSA. ...