Towards sustainable antimicrobial therapies for Staphylococcus aureus skin infections

Abstract

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are a major economic and clinical burden. With the emergence of increasing antimicrobial resistance, novel treatment options, as well as advanced drug delivery systems will be essential to fight these infections and meet the UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). SSTIs are commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus, including the infamous MRSA (methicillin-resistant S. aureus). In this short review, we discuss new antimicrobial therapies with potential to combat skin infections caused by S. aureus. This includes discussion of antimicrobial strategies originating from both the host and microbiota. Adapting immunotherapy-type approaches to infection is also discussed, giving examples of cellular targets of interest. We examine the difficulties of therapeutic delivery into a barrier tissue such as skin and discuss exciting new developments in interdisciplinary approaches that may help overcome these challenges.