title: Inhibition of Neisseria gonorrhoeae genital tract infection by leading-candidate topical microbicides in a mouse model.
abstract: The development of effective vaginal microbicides is paramount in the fight against the spread of sexually transmitted infections. Preclinical testing of candidate microbicides for the prevention of gonorrhea has been seriously hindered by the lack of an animal model. We assessed the efficacy of 7 promising formulated agents--CarraGuard, Ushercell, [poly]sodium 4-styrene sulfonate (T-PSS), PRO 2000, ACIDFORM, cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP), and BufferGel--by use of a mouse model of Neisseria gonorrhoeae genital tract infection. Mice received test agent, relevant placebo, or no treatment, followed by intravaginal N. gonorrhoeae challenge. N. gonorrhoeae colonization was tested by vaginal culture. CarraGuard, Ushercell, and T-PSS demonstrated significant protection, compared with control agents and no treatment. PRO 2000, ACIDFORM, and CAP showed significant protection, compared with no treatment but not compared with respective control agents. Mice that received BufferGel were provided significant protection, compared with untreated control mice; no placebo was tested. The findings of the present study suggest that topical agents may effectively reduce N. gonorrhoeae infection and that further evaluation is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA. SSpencerMD@comcast.net
authors.forename: Steven E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: Iris E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Valentin-Bon
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Whaley
authors.forename: Ann E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Jerse
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009282:Naphthalenesulfonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000187:drug effects*; D011108:Polymers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; C420918:BufferGel; D005782:Gels; D009282:Naphthalenesulfonates; C120231:PRO 2000; D011108:Polymers; D011137:Polystyrenes; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; C003321:polystyrene sulfonic acid