A comprehensive review on potential therapeutic inhibitors of nosocomial Acinetobacter baumannii superbugs

Acinetobacter baumannii, a Gram-negative, glucose non-fermentative coccobacilli are responsible for causing a wide range of opportunistic nosocomial infections, thus listed as a WHO "critical priority pathogen", for which identification and development of new antibacterial agents are an urgent unmet medical need. The current review attempts to present an overview of various mechanisms (enzymatic and non-enzymatic), virulence factors responsible for A. baumannii resistance. Furthermore, inhibitors of A. baumannii are categorized into different classes highlighting their MDR inhibition properties. In addition, novel adjuvants that potentiate existing antibiotics, as well as natural and synthetic compounds that limit biofilm formation in A. baumannii infections are discussed.