The Type III secretion system (T3SS) is currently considered to be one of the
main pathogenicity factors in Gram-negative bacteria, which exhibit different
types of parasitizing activity. The presence of this structure is essential for
the development of an acute infection; the chronicity of the infection is
fundamentally dependent upon its functioning. In this regard, T3TS is one of the
most promising targets for the development of broad-spectrum antimicrobial drugs
that do not develop resistance and are efficacious for the acute and chronic
forms of infection. The mechanism of action in drug development is based on the
specific inhibition of T3SS, which should interrupt the infectious process,
thereby enabling the immune system to eliminate the pathogen. As a result of
pilot screening using specific cellular and bacterial tests, followed by
chemical optimization and detailed characterization of the biological activity,
a new class of chlamydial T3SS inhibitors was obtained. The selected compounds
have obvious advantages over the currently available inhibitors of T3SS
pathogens thanks to the high inhibitory activity of these compounds with minimal
damaging effects on eukaryotic cells. Preclinical trials of the selected
inhibitors are currently under way.