Triclosan as a systemic antibacterial agent in a mouse model of acute bacterial challenge.
The upsurge of multiple-drug-resistant microbes warrants the development and/or use of effective antibiotics. Triclosan, though used in cosmetic and dermatological preparations for several decades, has not been used as a systemic antibacterial agent due to problems of drug administration. Here we report the striking efficacy of triclosan in a mouse model of acute systemic bacterial infection. Triclosan not only significantly extends the survival time of the infected mice, it also restores blood parameters and checks liver damage induced by the bacterial infection. We believe that the excellent safety track record of triclosan in topical use coupled with our findings qualifies triclosan as a candidate drug or lead compound for exploring its potential in experimental systems for treating systemic bacterial infections.
Sharma
Shilpi
S
Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India.
Ramya
T N C
TN
Surolia
Avadhesha
A
Surolia
Namita
N
D000208:Acute Disease; D000667:Ampicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014260:Triclosan / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D010406:Penicillins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D014260:Triclosan; D000667:Ampicillin; D013752:Tetracycline