Innate Effector Systems in Primary Human Macrophages Sensitize Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae to Antibiotics

Abstract

Infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae are difficult to treat with conventional antibiotics. Thus, alternative strategies to control the growth of MDR Klebsiella are warranted. We hypothesized that activation of innate effector systems could sensitize MDR K. pneumoniae to conventional antibiotics. Thus, human primary macrophages were stimulated with compounds known to activate innate immunity (vitamin D 3 , phenylbutyrate [PBA], and the aroylated phenylenediamine HO53) and then infected with MDR Klebsiella in the presence or absence of antibiotics.