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Lewies, A., et al. The Potential Use of Natural and Structural Analogues of Antimicrobial Peptides in the Fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases. Molecules 2015, 20, 15392–15433
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Correction published on 14 September 2015, see Molecules 2015, 20(9), 16757.
Review

The Potential Use of Natural and Structural Analogues of Antimicrobial Peptides in the Fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases

Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (PHARMACEN), North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
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Academic Editor: Thomas J. Schmidt
Molecules 2015, 20(8), 15392-15433; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules200815392
Received: 13 July 2015 / Revised: 2 August 2015 / Accepted: 10 August 2015 / Published: 24 August 2015
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. View Full-Text
Keywords: antimicrobial peptides (AMPs); neglected tropical diseases (NTDs); malaria; parasites; antibacterial; antiviral; parasitic worms; innate immunity antimicrobial peptides (AMPs); neglected tropical diseases (NTDs); malaria; parasites; antibacterial; antiviral; parasitic worms; innate immunity
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MDPI and ACS Style

Lewies, A.; Wentzel, J.F.; Jacobs, G.; Du Plessis, L.H. The Potential Use of Natural and Structural Analogues of Antimicrobial Peptides in the Fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases. Molecules 2015, 20, 15392-15433. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules200815392

AMA Style

Lewies A, Wentzel JF, Jacobs G, Du Plessis LH. The Potential Use of Natural and Structural Analogues of Antimicrobial Peptides in the Fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases. Molecules. 2015; 20(8):15392-15433. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules200815392

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lewies, Angélique, Johannes F. Wentzel, Garmi Jacobs, and Lissinda H. Du Plessis. 2015. "The Potential Use of Natural and Structural Analogues of Antimicrobial Peptides in the Fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases" Molecules 20, no. 8: 15392-15433. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules200815392

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