Impact of human communications molecules on respiratory tractus bacterial pathogen

Abstract

The rapid increase of bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics means that alternative solutions to antibiotics must be found urgently. This observation particularly concerns respiratory pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumanii, or Staphylococcus aureus. Microbial endocrinology has paved a new way to identify specific bacterial targets related to several human communication molecules such as neurotransmitters, cytokines, and hormones. Here, we describe these human signaling compounds that are able to modify the physiology of major respiratory bacterial pathogens and their potential mechanism of action on bacteria. This review aims to better understand the effects of human communication molecules on the physiology of major respiratory bacterial pathogens and their consequences in terms of virulence, persistence, and interference with the action of antibiotics. These data should be considered to avoid promoting chronic infections in patients or to optimize antibiotic treatment.