Author(s):
Calado, Rita D.A. ; Mendes, Bárbara B. ; Conniot, João ; Ravasco, João M.J.M. ; Sobral, Daniel ; Ferreira, Carolina ; Ferreira, Rita ; Rodrigues, João Carlos ; Santos, Daniela ; Duarte, Sílvia ; Vieira, Luís ; Inácio, Ângela S. ; Carrêlo, Henrique ; Vaz, Winchil L.C. ; Gomes, João Paulo ; Nunes, Alexandra ; Conde, João ; Vieira, Otilia V.
Date: 2024
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/10380
Origin: Repositório Científico do Instituto Nacional de Saúde
Subject(s): Sexually Transmitted Infections; Perinatal Transmitted Infections; Antimicrobial Resistance; Neisseria gonorrhoeae; Streptococcus agalactiae; Hydrogel; Surfactant; Antibiotic-free; Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis
Description
Sexually transmitted infections and urogenital-perinatal infections are significant health challenges owing to their asymptomatic nature, multidrug-resistant pathogens, and lack of effective vaccines. Surfactants are under investigation as potential antimicrobial agents and alternatives to traditional antibiotics. Here, we discovered that N-dodecylpyridinium bromide (C12PB), a cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant, has very low potential to induce antimicrobial resistance with no antibiotic cross-resistance or inflammation in vitro. Therefore, we developed a preclinical antibiotic-free cationic surfactant-based cellulose hydrogel for treating sexually transmitted infections. The C12PB-hydrogels provided sustained surfactant release, enhancing their biocompatibility and antibacterial activity without inflammation or epithelial disruption of the vaginal tract. In a preclinical model of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection, a single application of the C12PB-hydrogel showed a 2- to 3-fold reduction in infection. This lays the foundation for the future development of C12PB-hydrogels for sexually transmitted infections, demonstrating potent antibacterial activity and minimal risk of antimicrobial resistance or inflammation.
Highlights: - The C12PB-hydrogel reduces the risk of sexually transmitted infections; - Low antimicrobial resistance potential was demonstrated; - Inflammation or epithelial disruption was not observed; - Potent against Neisseria gonorrhoeae with no vaginal microbiome alterations.
