Browsing by Author "Conde, João"
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Preclinical assessment of an antibiotic-free cationic surfactant-based cellulose hydrogel for sexually and perinatally transmitted infectionsPublication . 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.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.