Journal of Clinical and Cellular Immunology
Open Access

Development of a cell based high-content/high-throughput compound microarray screen for Klebsiella pneumoniae

4^th International Conference on Applied Microbiology, Antibiotics, Antimicrobials and Beneficial Microbes

May 20-21, 2019 Tokyo, Japan

Zandile Mahlangu

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Biosciences, South Africa
University of Cape Town, South Africa

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Clin Cell Immunol

Abstract :

Carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae is an emerging multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterium causing infections associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. K. pneumoniae has adapted and selected for carbapenemases, which are versatile β-lactamase enzymes capable of hydrolyzing carbapenems: A class of broad-spectrum antibiotics reserved for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug resistant pathogens. This has necessitated the use of Colistin and Tigecycline as last resort therapeutic option for treating infections caused by the pathogen. However, it has developed resistance against these antibiotics, thus further complicating treatment, due to limited antibiotic options. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified the carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae as the most important multidrug-resistant bacteria at the global level, for which there is an urgent need for new treatments. To accelerate and minimize the cost involved in drug discovery efforts, a cell-based high-content/high-throughput reverse transfection microarray screening platform will be employed to screen hundreds of compounds against carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae. To achieve this, a cell-based assay, mimicking infection in human cells will be validated in a 96-well plate format. The validated assay will be transposed onto a highdensity microarray plate comprising of chemically encapsulated compounds for screening. Using an automated fluorescent imaging system, the activity of compounds against fluorescently labeled bacterial strain will be measured and statistically quantified. The anticipated outcome of this study is the development of a highly efficient screen that can simultaneously determine efficacy, cytotoxicity, specificity, and predict clinical response of compounds in biologically relevant cell-lines while enabling the rapid identification of potential drug candidates for carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae.

Biography :

E-mail: zmahlangus@gmail.com