Compositions and methods for combating bacterial infections by killing persister cells with mitomycin C

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a method for killing persister cells with mitomycin C and/or cisplatin, or derivatives thereof. Recalcitrant infections are difficult to treat due to persister cells, a subpopulation of all bacterial populations that is highly tolerant against all traditional antibiotics since the cells are dormant and antibiotics are designed to kill growing cells. Here, we show that MMC and cisplatin eradicate persister cells through a growth-independent mechanism, cross-linking DNA. We find both agents are effective against both planktonic cultures and highly robust biofilm cultures for a broad range of bacterial species, including commensal Escherichia coli K-12 as well as pathogenic species of E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In certain approaches cisplatin is superior to MMC.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.