Method of using lectins for contraception, prophylaxis against diseases transmittable by sexual contact, and therapy of such diseases, and apparatus for administering lectins

Abstract

In order to prevent conception and/or the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) one or more lectins capable of binding sperm and/or the pathogenic microorganisms responsible for STD's are administered to the vagina prior to sexual intercourse. The lectins immobilize the sperm to render them incapable of fertilization and also bind to the microorganisms to render them non-pathogenic or to the cells to prevent infection by the microorganisms. Lectins can also be administered to treat sexually transmitted vaginal infections. The invention also encompasses a device to be placed in the vault of the vagina which comprises a ring which surrounds the cervix and a membrane spanning the central aperture of the ring to prevent the direct contact of ejaculate with the cervical tissues. The device is impregnated or coated with lectins and releases them into the vaginal environment over a period of time.

The invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases comprising administering to the vagina an amount of a composition containing at least one lectin capable of binding to a pathogenic microorganism or to carbohydrate moieties expressed on the vaginal epithelial cell surface, said lectin being effective to diminish the infective capability of said microorganism, said lectin being dispersed in a biocompatible non-toxic vehicle.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said disease is selected from the group consisting of gonorrhea, chlamydial infections, lymphogranuloma venereum, syphilis, chancroid, donovanosis,  Mycoplasma hominis  infections,  Mycoplasma genitalium  infections,  Ureaplasma urealyticum  infections, HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections, HTLV-1 infections, herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 infections, Epstein-Barr virus infections, infections with human papilloma viruses, molluscum contagiosum, cytomegalovirus infections, viral hepatitis trichomoniasis, and candidiasis.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of lectins is administered.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said sexually transmitted disease is gonorrhea and said lectin is selected from the group consisting of BPA, CPA, CSA, GNA, LAA, LBA, LCH, LEA, MAA, MPA, NPA, PSA, RPA, SBA, STA, sWGA, TKA, VVA, WFA, and WGA.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein a plurality of lectins is administered.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said sexually transmitted disease is infection with  Chlamydia trachomatis  and said lectin is selected from the group consisting of ABA, TKA, DSA, WFA, VFA, Jacalin, and MPA.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein a plurality of lectins is administered.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said sexually transmitted disease is infection with HIV-1 or HIV-2 and said lectin is selected from the group consisting of ConA, EEA, MPA and HAA.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein a plurality of lectins is administered.  
     
     
         10 . A method of contraception comprising administering to the vagina an amount of a composition containing at least one lectin capable of agglutinating sperm or other components of male ejaculate sufficient to render said sperm incapable of fertilization, said lectin being dispersed in a biocompatible non-toxic vehicle.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein a plurality of lectins is administered.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said lectin is selected from the group consisting of WGA, LcH, PSA, Jacalin, ConA, WFA, MPA, sWGA, RPA, DSA, BPA, CAA, GNA, VRA, VFA, LOTUS, VVA, TKA, LAA, ABA, CSA, UEA-1, PNA, PTAgalNac, PTAgalactose, and EEA.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein a plurality of lectins is administered.  
     
     
         14 . A method of treating sexually transmitted vaginal infections comprising administering to the vagina an amount of a composition containing at lest one lectin capable of binding to a pathogenic microorganism or to carbohydrate moieties expressed on the vaginal epithelial cell surface, said lectin being effective to diminish the infective capability of said microorganism, said lectin being dispersed in a biocompatible non-toxic vehicle.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein a plurality of lectins is administered.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said sexually transmitted disease is gonorrhea and said lectin is selected from the group consisting of BPA, CPA, CSA, GNA, LAA, LBA, LCH, LEA, MAA, MPA, NPA, PSA, RPA, SBA, STA, sWGA, TKA, VVA, WFA, and WGA.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein a plurality of lectins is administered.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said sexually transmitted disease is infection with  Chlamydia trachomatis  and said lectin is selected from the group consisting of ABA, TKA, DSA, WFA, VFA, Jacalin, and MPA.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein a plurality of lectins is administered.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said sexually transmitted disease is infection with HIV-1 or HIV-2 and said lectin is selected from the group consisting of ConA, EEA, MPA and HAA.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein a plurality of lectins is administered.  
     
     
         22 . A vaginal medicator comprising a ring of a flexible resilient material having a central aperture and spanning said central aperture a web of flexible resilient material, at least one of said ring and said web being impregnated with a lectin and being capable of releasing said lectin to a surrounding vaginal environment.  
     
     
         23 . The medicator of  claim 22  wherein said flexible resilient material is impregnated with a plurality of lectins  
     
     
         24 . The medicator of  claim 22  wherein said lectin is selected from the group consisting of BPA, CPA, CSA, GNA, LAA, LBA, LcH, LEA, MAA, MPA, NPA, PSA, RPA, SBA, STA, sWGA, TKA, VVA, WFA, WGA, Jacalin, ConA, DSA, CAA, VRA, VFA, LOTUS, VVA, ABA, UEA-1, PNA, PTAgalNac, PTAgalactose, and EEA.  
     
     
         25 . The medicator of  claim 24  wherein said flexible resilient material is impregnated with a plurality of lectins.  
     
     
         26 . The medicator of  claim 22  wherein said flexible resilient material is impregnated with a lectin selected from the group consisting of ABA, TKA, DSA, WFA, VFA, Jacalin, and MPA.  
     
     
         27 . The medicator of  claim 26  wherein said flexible resilient material is impregnated with a plurality of lectins.  
     
     
         28 . The medicator of  claim 22  wherein said flexible resilient material is impregnated with a lectin selected from the group consisting of ConA, EEA, MPA and HAA.  
     
     
         29 . The medicator of  claim 28  wherein said flexible resilient material is impregnated with a plurality of lectins.  
     
     
         30 . A vaginal medicator comprising a ring of a flexible resilient material having a central aperture and spanning said central aperture a web of flexible resilient material, at least one of said ring and said web being coated with a composition comprising a lectin and a binder therefor, said composition being capable of releasing said lectin to a surrounding vaginal environment.  
     
     
         31 . The medicator of  claim 30  wherein said coating composition contains a plurality of lectins.  
     
     
         32 . The medicator of  claim 30  wherein said lectin is selected from the group consisting of BPA, CPA, CSA, GNA, LAA, LBA, LcH, LEA, MAA, MPA, NPA, PSA, RPA, SBA, STA, sWGA, TKA, VVA, WFA, WGA, Jacalin, ConA, DSA, CAA, VRA, VFA, LOTUS, VVA, ABA, UEA-1, PNA, PTAgalNac, PTAgalactose, and EEA.  
     
     
         33 . The medicator of  claim 32  wherein said flexible resilient material is impregnated with a plurality of lectins.  
     
     
         34 . The medicator of  claim 30  wherein said lectin is selected from the group consisting of ABA, TKA, DSA, WFA, VFA, Jacalin, and MPA.  
     
     
         35 . The medicator of  claim 34  wherein said flexible resilient material is impregnated with a plurality of lectins.  
     
     
         36 . The medicator of  claim 30  wherein said lectin is selected from the group consisting of ConA, EEA, MPA and HAA.  
     
     
         37 . The medicator of  claim 36  wherein said flexible resilient material is impregnated with a plurality of lectins.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said vehicle is selected from the group consisting of creams, ointments, foams, suppositories, ovules, lubricants, lotions, oils, and the like.