The role of antimicrobial peptides in the prevention of sexually transmitted infection (STI)

Abstract

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) such as Chlamydia infection, chancroid, gonorrhea, crabs (Pubic Lice), genital herpes, hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), scabies, trichomoniasis and Molluscum Contagiosum (MCV) also known as Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) or Venereal Diseases (VD)[1]. STIs are diseases that are passed on from one person to another through sexual contact, and sometimes by genital contact the infection can be passed on via vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex.1 Development of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in human societies, caused that research on diagnosise and treatment of these diseases is growing. Despite successes in antimicrobial drug development, resistance to every new antibiotic molecule has appeared in bacterial populations within a few years of its introduction determining a reduction in the therapeutic efficacy. Aantimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have received an increasing attention as potential therapeutic agents.2 AMPs are important components of innate immune systems. On one hand, there is an urgent demand for novel antimicrobials due to the current trend of reduction in the potency of commonly used antibiotics.3 AMPs show a broad spectrum of activities against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains and some fungi, viruses, and parasites.4 Also some of them have spermicidal properties.4 Many of these peptides such as natural vaginal peptides and synthetic spermicide and microbicide to prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases can be investigated. In this review, we introduce some of the most important AMPs in this regard.