Beyond Conventional Antibiotics: Molecular Design, Mechanistic Dynamics, and Clinical Translation of Antimicrobial Peptides Against Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
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Abstract
Background: The growing threat of antimicrobial resistance among multidrug-resistant bacteria, particularly the ESKAPE pathogens, has created an urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies. Acinetobacter baumannii, a major member of this group, is commonly associated with chronic wound infections and hospital-acquired pneumonia and exhibits remarkable resistance to conventional antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), both naturally occurring and synthetically engineered, have emerged as promising alternatives due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and multiple mechanisms of action. This review analyzes recent literature on the potential of antimicrobial peptides in combating infections caused by ESKAPE pathogens, with particular emphasis on Acinetobacter baumannii.
Methods: Relevant literature was identified through searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using keywords such as “antimicrobial peptides,” “ESKAPE pathogens,” “Acinetobacter baumannii,” “biofilms,” and “antimicrobial resistance.” Articles published between 2020 and 2026 were prioritized, and non-English studies were excluded.
Findings: The reviewed evidence demonstrates that AMPs possess strong antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against multidrug-resistant ESKAPE pathogens. These peptides disrupt bacterial membranes, inhibit biofilm formation, and enhance host immune responses. Furthermore, combining AMPs with enzymes and nanoparticle-based systems has shown improved antimicrobial efficacy against resistant pathogens, including A. baumannii. Antimicrobial peptides represent a promising class of next-generation therapeutics for managing infections caused by ESKAPE pathogens.
Conclusion: Continued research focusing on peptide optimization, effective delivery systems, and immune enhancement will be essential to support their clinical translation and help mitigate antimicrobial resistance.
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