USE OF PHENOTHIAZINE DERIVATIVE IN THE TREATMENT OF INFECTION CAUSED BY BACTERIA CARRYING TYPE IV PILI

1 . A method for treating and/or preventing meningitis caused by bacteria carrying Type IV pili in patients diagnosed with or at risk of developing such infection, comprising the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a phenothiazine derivative or a pharmaceutical salt thereof, wherein said phenothiazine derivative is a compound of formula (I):

X 1 is a C 1 -C 6 alkyl substituted by R 1 ;

wherein R 1 is YR 3 R 4 , wherein

Y is C or N,

If Y is N then R 3 and R 4 are independently of each other H, (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl,

or R3 and R4 form together with Y, a ring selected from an heteroaryl or an heterocyclyl group, said ring being optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from:

(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl optionally substituted by OH or O(C═O)(C1-C10)alkyl; or

an amide group, and

If Y is C then R 3 and R 4 form together with Y, a ring selected from an heteroaryl or an heterocyclyl group, said ring being optionally substituted by (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl groups optionally substituted by OH;

R 2 is H, an halogen (preferably Cl or F), CF 3 , a (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, S(O)(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, SO 2 (C 1 -C 6 ) alkyl, SO 3 H, CN, a (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, a (C 1 -C 6 )thioalkoxy, NO 2

X 2 is S or SO 2 .

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said phenothiazine derivative is selected from the group consisting of promazine, thioridazine, mesoridazine, trifluoperazine, prochlorperazine, fluphenazine, and perphenazine.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said phenothiazine derivative is thioridazine, mesoridazine, or trifluoperazine.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said bacteria carrying Type IV pili are selected from the group consisting of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus sp., notably Haemophilus influenzae , and Listeria monocytogenes , and is preferentially Neisseria meningitidis.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein vascular damages are prevented.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein circulatory collapse is prevented.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said phenothiazine derivative is administered intravenously or intra-muscularly.

8 . The method of claim 1 , comprising the further administration of an antibiotic.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said antibiotic is selected from the group consisting of beta-lactams and aminoglycosides, and/or dexamethasone.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein said antibiotic is a beta-lactam, preferably a cephalosporin of third generation.

11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein said phenothiazine derivative and said antibiotic are administered simultaneously, sequentially, or separately.

12 . A method for treating and/or preventing meningitis caused by bacteria carrying Type IV pili in patients diagnosed or at risk of developing such infection, comprising the step of administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a phenothiazine derivative and an antibiotic selected in the group consisting of beta-lactams and aminoglycosides, and/or dexamethasone.

13 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein meningitis is caused by bacteria carrying Type IV pili selected from the group consisting of Streptococcus pneumonia, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus sp., notably Haemophilus influenza, and Listeria monocytogenes , and is preferably Neisseria meningitidis.

14 . A kit comprising a phenothiazine derivative and an antibiotic selected in the group consisting of beta-lactams and aminoglycosides, and/or dexamethasone.