Spectinomycin Analogs for the Treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus Infections

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria are emerging pathogens with high intrinsic drug resistance. Among rapidly growing non-tuberculous mycobacteria species, Mycobacterium abscessus is among the most pathogenic. Standard of care therapy has led to unacceptable outcomes and demonstrates the urgent need to develop effective antimycobacterial regimens. Through synthetic modification of spectinomycin we have identified a distinct structural subclass of ethylene linked aminomethyl spectinomycins. The goal of this study was to determine the mechanism of action of these compounds through generation of resistant organisms by positive selection pressure.