High-Throughput Screening for Novel Inhibitors of Intracellular Pathogens, Including Chlamydia trachomatis

Abstract

High-throughput drug screening (HTS) is a powerful tool that can be used rapidly to identify new potential bacterial inhibitors and/or compounds which enhance host cell control of pathogens, which can then go on to be developed as novel therapeutics. Typically screening is commonly done in artificial culture medium; however, obligate intracellular pathogens, such as Chlamydia trachomatis, cannot be tested this way. Intracellular screening methods allow for such pathogens to undergo HTS, while still giving reliable and consistent data. Plus, as well as identifying new potential bacterial inhibitors, it is also able to detect compounds which enhance host cell control of pathogens, to allow for host-directed therapies to be developed.