title: Are cationic antimicrobial peptides also 'double-edged swords'?
abstract: The present view focuses on the possibility that cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) might, in addition to their killing effects due to permeabilization of microbial membranes, also function similarly to beta-lactam antibiotics to activate nascent autolytic wall enzymes, leading to bacteriolysis. Since the massive release of microbial cell wall components is a major cause of postinfectious sequelae, the in vivo process of bacteriolysis must be controlled. Due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria, CAMPs might be useful as an alternative to antibiotics. However, they should be used with caution, since they might also function as a 'double-edged sword' by injuring both the bacteria and host.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical Center, PO Box 12065, Jerusalem 91120, Israel. ginsburg@cc.huji.ac.il
authors.forename: Isaac
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ginsburg
authors.forename: Erez
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Koren
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides