Drug Repurposing: An Emerging Strategy in Staphylococcus aureus Infections

Abstract

Infections are a growing global threat to public health, and the rapid spread of drug-resistant pathogens is a big challenge. The development and approval of novel antimicrobials targeting multi-drug-resistant infections lag significantly behind the rapid emergence of resistance. For these threats and challenges, new strategies are critically needed. Drug repurposing, using approved or investigational drugs for other clinical conditions, has emerged as an alternative approach for rapid identification of effective antibacterial agents. Although drug repurposing is not novel, recent years have witnessed the development of novel methodologies enabling its systematic and rational implementation. This review summarizes methodological approaches for antimicrobial repurposing against Staphylococcus aureus, evaluates current research progress, and highlights persistent challenges and promising prospects. Collectively, drug repurposing is poised to deliver clinically impactful antimicrobials, offering a pragmatic complement to novel drug discovery in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance.