The infections with MDR (multi-drug resistance) strains that spread mainly in hospital environments are challenging to treat. The MDR stains often harbor antibiotic-resistant genes to the last-resort antibiotics like carbapenems or polymyxins. Antibiotic resistance is a complex and continuously evolving phenomenon.  There are some promising new compounds against drug-resistant bacteria (Nature 2021 volume 597, pages698–702; Molecules 2021 May; 26(9): 2671). However, rational drug design is very often time expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, many researchers are oriented towards other approaches. One approach is finding the synergistic combinations of antibiotics with other compounds that could reverse the resistance phenotypes. The most used combinations are beta-lactams and beta-lactamase inhibitors.

This Special issue aims to present the latest works in synergistic antibiotic combinations against MDR strains and welcomes submissions in this area.

The issue will specifically add innovative cell and molecular biology techniques that enhance our understanding of antibiotic synergy and explore new therapeutic strategies to address the challenges posed by MDR strains.