Aerobactin Synthesis Proteins as Antivirulence Targets in Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae

Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) is an underrecognized pathotype of K. pneumoniae since the majority of cases have occurred in East Asia. However, hvKp is a public health threat due to its ability to infect healthy individuals, ongoing dissemination, and acquisition of resistance determinants. hvKp-directed antivirulence therapy is appealing since it has the potential to minimize resistance selection. The discovery that aerobactin is a critical hvKp-specific virulence factor has made its biosynthetic enzymes attractive targets for the development of small molecule inhibitors. However, identification of additional high value targets is needed to enable a robust countermeasure program for this evolving superbug.