Due to increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance, scientists are researching the potential of combination therapy (two or more drugs used together) to restore activity against resistant pathogens.

In a recent study, investigators screened 19 antibiotics with colistin and observed high rates of synergy, where the efficacy of the combination therapy was greater than the sum of their separate effects. “It was remarkable to see two drugs, each of which is inactive on its own against these bacteria, inhibiting them in combination,” noted a doctor leading the study.

Physicians have long been treating patients with multiple antibiotics at a time, but now we have scientific support for those decisions. Further, combination therapy may allow lower doses to be used, which could decrease side effects and slow the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

TransPharm Preclinical Services offers checkerboard analyses for in vitro synergism testing, as well as efficacy testing of combination therapies using in vivo models of infectious disease. Contact us today for more information or to request a free, no-obligation quote.