Carbonic anhydrases have started to emerge as new potential antibacterial targets for several pathogens. Two β-carbonic anhydrases, denominated bsCA I and bsCA II, have been isolated and characterized from the bacterial pathogen Brucella suis, the causative agent of brucellosis or Malta fever. These enzymes have been investigated in detail and a wide range of classical aromatic and heteroaromatic sulfonamides as well as carbohydrate-based compounds have been found to inhibit selectively and efficiently Brucella suis carbonic anhydrases. Inhibition of these metalloenzymes constitutes a novel approach for the potential development of new anti-Brucella agents. This review aims at discussing the recent literature on this topic.
Keywords: Brucella; Metalloenzyme; anti-infective agents; carbonic anhydrase; inhibitors.