title: The Potential Use of Natural and Structural Analogues of Antimicrobial Peptides in the Fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases.
abstract: Recently, research into the development of new antimicrobial agents has been driven by the increase in resistance to traditional antibiotics and Emerging Infectious Diseases. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising candidates as alternatives to current antibiotics in the treatment and prevention of microbial infections. AMPs are produced by all known living species, displaying direct antimicrobial killing activity and playing an important role in innate immunity. To date, more than 2000 AMPs have been discovered and many of these exhibit broad-spectrum antibacterial, antiviral and anti-parasitic activity. Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are caused by a variety of pathogens and are particularly wide-spread in low-income and developing regions of the world. Alternative, cost effective treatments are desperately needed to effectively battle these medically diverse diseases. AMPs have been shown to be effective against a variety of NTDs, including African trypanosomes, leishmaniosis and Chagas disease, trachoma and leprosy. In this review, the potential of selected AMPs to successfully treat a variety of NTD infections will be critically evaluated.
authors: Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (PHARMACEN), North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa. 20577966@nwu.ac.za.
authors: Angélique
authors: A
authors: Lewies
authors: Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (PHARMACEN), North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa. 20134045@nwu.ac.za.
authors: Johannes F
authors: JF
authors: Wentzel
authors: Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (PHARMACEN), North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa. 22119027@nwu.ac.za.
authors: Garmi
authors: G
authors: Jacobs
authors: Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (PHARMACEN), North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa. Lissinda.DuPlessis@nwu.ac.za.
authors: Lissinda H
authors: LH
authors: Du Plessis
authors: Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (PHARMACEN), North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa. 20577966@nwu.ac.za.
authors: Lewies
authors: L
authors: Angélique
authors: Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (PHARMACEN), North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa. 20134045@nwu.ac.za.
authors: Wentzel Johannes
authors: WJ
authors: Frederik
authors: Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (PHARMACEN), North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa. 22119027@nwu.ac.za.
authors: Jacobs
authors: J
authors: Garmi
authors: Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (PHARMACEN), North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa. Lissinda.DuPlessis@nwu.ac.za.
authors: Du Plessis Lissinda
authors: du PL
authors: Hester
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D058069:Neglected Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014329:Tropical Climate
chemical_list: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
keywords: antibacterial; antimicrobial peptides (AMPs); antiviral; innate immunity; malaria; neglected tropical diseases (NTDs); parasites; parasitic worms