Role of ß-Lactamase Inhibitors as Potentiators in Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Targeting Gram-Negative Bacteria.

ABSTRACT

Since the discovery of penicillin, ß-lactam antibiotics have commonly been used to treat bacterial infections. Unfortunately, at the same time, pathogens can develop resistance to ß-lactam antibiotics such as penicillins, cephalosporins, monobactams, and carbapenems by producing ß-lactamases. Therefore, a combination of ß-lactam antibiotics with ß-lactamase inhibitors has been a promising approach to controlling ß-lactam-resistant bacteria. The discovery of novel ß-lactamase inhibitors (BLIs) is essential for effectively treating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. Therefore, this review discusses the development of innovative inhibitors meant to enhance the activity of ß-lactam antibiotics. Specifically, this review describes the classification and characteristics of different classes of ß-lactamases and the synergistic mechanisms of ß-lactams and BLIs. In addition, we introduce potential sources of compounds for use as novel BLIs. This provides insights into overcoming current challenges in ß-lactamase-producing bacteria and designing effective treatment options in combination with BLIs.