Pharmacodynamics of interspecies interactions in polymicrobial infections

Abstract The pharmacodynamic response of bacterial pathogens to antibiotics can be influenced by interactions with other bacterial species in polymicrobial infections (PMIs). Understanding the complex eco-evolutionary dynamics of PMIs and their impact on antimicrobial treatment response represents a...

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Main Authors: C. Herzberg, J. G. C. van Hasselt
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-024-00621-6
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author C. Herzberg
J. G. C. van Hasselt
author_facet C. Herzberg
J. G. C. van Hasselt
author_sort C. Herzberg
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The pharmacodynamic response of bacterial pathogens to antibiotics can be influenced by interactions with other bacterial species in polymicrobial infections (PMIs). Understanding the complex eco-evolutionary dynamics of PMIs and their impact on antimicrobial treatment response represents a step towards developing improved treatment strategies for PMIs. Here, we investigated how interspecies interactions in a multi-species bacterial community affect the pharmacodynamic response to antimicrobial treatment. To this end, we developed an in silico model which combined agent-based modeling with ordinary differential equations. Our analyses suggest that both interspecies interactions, modifying either drug sensitivity or bacterial growth rate, and drug-specific pharmacological properties drive the bacterial pharmacodynamic response. Furthermore, lifestyle of the bacterial population and the range of interactions can influence the impact of species interactions. In conclusion, this study provides a foundation for the design of antimicrobial treatment strategies for PMIs which leverage the effects of interspecies interactions.
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spelling doaj-art-5a89d3ec815e41fc8beeb523bed258e32025-01-26T12:17:50ZengNature Portfolionpj Biofilms and Microbiomes2055-50082025-01-0111111410.1038/s41522-024-00621-6Pharmacodynamics of interspecies interactions in polymicrobial infectionsC. Herzberg0J. G. C. van Hasselt1Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden UniversityLeiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden UniversityAbstract The pharmacodynamic response of bacterial pathogens to antibiotics can be influenced by interactions with other bacterial species in polymicrobial infections (PMIs). Understanding the complex eco-evolutionary dynamics of PMIs and their impact on antimicrobial treatment response represents a step towards developing improved treatment strategies for PMIs. Here, we investigated how interspecies interactions in a multi-species bacterial community affect the pharmacodynamic response to antimicrobial treatment. To this end, we developed an in silico model which combined agent-based modeling with ordinary differential equations. Our analyses suggest that both interspecies interactions, modifying either drug sensitivity or bacterial growth rate, and drug-specific pharmacological properties drive the bacterial pharmacodynamic response. Furthermore, lifestyle of the bacterial population and the range of interactions can influence the impact of species interactions. In conclusion, this study provides a foundation for the design of antimicrobial treatment strategies for PMIs which leverage the effects of interspecies interactions.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-024-00621-6
spellingShingle C. Herzberg
J. G. C. van Hasselt
Pharmacodynamics of interspecies interactions in polymicrobial infections
npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
title Pharmacodynamics of interspecies interactions in polymicrobial infections
title_full Pharmacodynamics of interspecies interactions in polymicrobial infections
title_fullStr Pharmacodynamics of interspecies interactions in polymicrobial infections
title_full_unstemmed Pharmacodynamics of interspecies interactions in polymicrobial infections
title_short Pharmacodynamics of interspecies interactions in polymicrobial infections
title_sort pharmacodynamics of interspecies interactions in polymicrobial infections
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-024-00621-6
work_keys_str_mv AT cherzberg pharmacodynamicsofinterspeciesinteractionsinpolymicrobialinfections
AT jgcvanhasselt pharmacodynamicsofinterspeciesinteractionsinpolymicrobialinfections