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Purpura fulminans (PF) is an uncommon but fatal disorder characterized by rapidly progressive thrombosis with hemorrhagic infarction, disseminated intravascular coagulation and multi-organ failure, which leads to death in 30% of patients and often severe sequelae in survivors. PF is a feature of severe sepsis in response to infection by a wide range of bacteria species, among which Neisseria meningitides, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. Bacterial colonization of human blood vessel cells is a hallmark of the PF. Rapid administration of antibiotics effectively treats sepsis, but it has only moderate effect on thrombosis development.
The present offer relates to a small molecules family to treat PF. In vitro evaluation of these molecules revealed that they quickly disaggregate bacterial colonies on human endothelial cells, acting on the bacteria type IV pili. The molecules efficacy has been confirmed in vivo using a human skin xenograft in a mouse model, where a drastic reduction of the bacteria colonization of the vascular system is shown. A novel therapeutic strategy can be considered, which would use these molecules to inhibit bacterial virulence without killing the bacteria. The lack of selective pressure should therefore prevent the emerging of resistance towards these small molecules.
Priority patent application, filed on November 5th 2016
Purpura fulminans - Neisseria meningitidis - Bacterial adhesion - Type IV pili
