Defensin-like molecules as novel antimicrobial agents
Disclosed are methods of treating and/or preventing infections in mammals caused by microorganisms, by administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of at least one defensin-like molecule, e.g., in a composition that includes such molecule. Also disclosed are the use of such defensin-like molecules for treating and/or preventing infections in mammals; and kits that may include such molecules, or compositions that include such molecules, as well as instructions for using such molecules to treat a mammal.
1. A method of treating infections in mammals caused by microorganisms, comprising administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of
2-[(E)-2-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]ethenyl]-4,6-diphenyl-pyran-3-ylium
wherein said microorganisms comprise one or more gram-positive bacteria selected from the group consisting of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus , and Enterococcus.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said microorganisms comprise one or more gram-positive bacteria selected from the group consisting of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus anginosus group, and Enterococcus faecalis.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the 2-[(E)-2-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]ethenyl]-4,6-diphenyl-pyran-3-ylium is administered to the mammal as part of a composition.
4. A method of killing a bacterial population in a mammal comprising administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount for killing the bacterial population in the mammal, of:
2-[(E)-2-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]ethenyl]-4,6-diphenyl-pyran-3-ylium
wherein said bacterial population comprises a population of one or more gram-positive bacteria selected from the group consisting of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus , and Enterococcus.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the 2-[(E)-2-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]ethenyl]-4,6-diphenyl-pyran-3-ylium is administered to the mammal as part of a composition.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein said bacterial population comprises a population of one or more gram-positive bacteria selected from the group consisting of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus anginosus group, and Enterococcus faecalis.