Fluorothiazinon inhibits the virulence factors of uropathogenic Escherichia coli involved in the development of urinary tract infection

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the most common pathogenic bacterium associated with urinary tract infection. Due to the development of antibiotic resistance and MDR, UPEC infection has become a serious problem in the last decade. In order to combat resistance, it is necessary to develop innovative antimicrobial agents that act by different mechanisms than conventional antibiotics. Among the new therapeutic strategies, suppression of pathogen virulence has become a promising alternative, since it fundamentally reduces selective pressure and the development of resistance. In our study, we showed that the compound Fluorothiazinon suppressed UPEC's ability to form biofilms and to move using the flagellum, as well as to penetrate into cells. Prophylactic use with subsequent treatment of FT in rodent models led to an improvement in survival and significantly reduced the bacterial load in the organs of the urinary system, thereby inhibiting the development of ascending infection and preventing the development of pathological changes in prostate tissues. These results suggest that FT affects several UPEC virulence factors at once and if similar results can be found in clinical trials it can potentially be used as a new drug against UPEC.