Current strategies against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and advances toward future therapy

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a formidable challenge in the treatment of infectious diseases, posing significant risks to global health. This issue is particularly with Staphylococcus aureus , a bacterium that can become multidrug-resistant (MDR), leading to severe complications and systemic infections due to their complex characteristics and diverse virulence factors. These new developments of AMR in S. aureus affected the scientific community in discovering the next generation of antibiotics, in which only two classes of antibiotics for clinical use have been introduced in the past two decades. This stagnation highlights the urgency of addressing AMR and the increasing difficulty in combating infections caused by superbug strains of staphylococcus. To overcome the AMR challenges, there is an urgent need to investigate and develop alternate therapy acts through a new target mechanism. In this review, we have discussed in brief several novel strategies such as bacteriophages, and antimicrobial peptides (AMP) to combat these MRSA infections. Emerging strategies such as CRISPR-Cas systems which allow for precise genetic editing, monoclonal antibodies designed to target specific bacterial toxins, bacterial phage therapies, and nanomedicine applications nanomedicine applications have been thoroughly discussed. Other than synthetic derivatives, the application of plant-based derivates, and repurposing drugs that exhibit anti-microbial properties, have been summarized. In an overview, this review provides advanced targets for investigators to develop new treatment strategies against MDR to improve the therapeutic efficacy and compliance of patients. • Multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major global health threat, increasing morbidity, mortality, and costs. • Treatment options are limited due to evolving resistance mechanisms. • New therapies like bacteriophages and antibiotic combinations are needed. • Technologies such as CRISPR, monoclonal antibodies, and nanomedicine show promise. • Plant-derived compounds, drug repurposing, and new antibiotics offer potential solutions

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