How Pseudomonas aeruginosa can resist the antibiotic cefiderocol and protect nearby bacteria

Evolved cefiderocol resistance and cross protection

['FUNDING_R01'] · CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-11291880

Researchers are looking into how Pseudomonas bacteria that infect people with cystic fibrosis become resistant to cefiderocol and how resistant bugs can shield other bacteria from the drug.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorCEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded)
Locations1 site (LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11291880 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This project grows Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the lab to see which mutations let the bacteria survive cefiderocol treatment. Scientists will identify specific gene changes and study how those changes change bacterial behavior, including increased release of iron-carrying molecules called siderophores. The team will test how different siderophores (pyoverdine and pyochelin) change sensitivity to cefiderocol and how resistant bacteria can protect nearby susceptible bacteria. Findings may come from lab-evolved strains and comparisons to clinical isolates relevant to cystic fibrosis lung infections.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with cystic fibrosis who have chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections, especially those treated with or considered for cefiderocol, would be most relevant to this research.

Not a fit: Patients without Pseudomonas infections or with infections caused by unrelated bacteria are unlikely to directly benefit from these findings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help doctors avoid or counteract resistance to cefiderocol and guide better antibiotic choices for people with chronic Pseudomonas infections.

How similar studies have performed: Laboratory evolution and genetic studies have previously found resistance mechanisms in Pseudomonas, but the specific cross-protection via pyoverdine against cefiderocol is a newer, less-tested finding.

Where this research is happening

LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Bacterial Infections

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.