Photoinactivation of ESKAPE pathogens: overview of novel therapeutic strategy

The emergence of antimicrobial drug resistance requires development of alternative therapeutic options. Multidrug-resistant strains of Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumanii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter spp. are still the most commonly identified antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. These microorganisms are part of the so-called ‘ESKAPE’ pathogens to emphasize that they currently cause the majority of hospital acquired infections and effectively ‘escape’ the effects of antibacterial drugs. Thus, alternative, safer and more efficient antimicrobial strategies are urgently needed, especially against ‘ESKAPE’ superbugs. Antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation is a therapeutic option used in the treatment of infectious diseases. It is based on a combination of a photosensitizer, light and oxygen to remove highly metabolically active cells.