{
  "abstract": "Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy remain critical global public health concerns affecting millions of women worldwide. To support the development of new multipurpose products offering non-hormonal contraception and activity against sexually transmitted pathogens, we evaluated copper sulfate, zinc lactate, L-(+)-lactic acid and their combinations as candidate pharmaceutical actives. We determined virucidal (HIV-1, HSV-2) and bactericidal (Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis) activity in vitro followed by in vivo efficacy testing against HSV-2, N. gonorrhoeae, and C. trachomatis in mice. In vitro, zinc lactate alone showed no inhibitory activity. In contrast, copper sulfate and lactic acid alone and in combination demonstrated activity against all tested pathogens. Furthermore, these combinations remained potent in the presence of vaginal and seminal fluids. Importantly, the actives – alone or combined – at concentrations that inhibited STI pathogens did not inhibit the growth of Lactobacillus crispatus, bacteria associated with an optimal vaginal microbiota. Further, copper sulfate and lactic acid alone and in combination inhibited vaginal HSV-2 and N. gonorrhoeae infection in mice. The combination conferred limited protection against vaginal C. trachomatis infection. These data demonstrate the advantages of combining copper sulfate and lactic acid and support further evaluation and development of this combination as a multipurpose prevention product.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Center for Biomedical Research",
    "Science Department, Borough of Manhattan Community College, The City University of New York",
    "Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center",
    "Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University",
    "VA Medical Center",
    "School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast",
    "Children’s Mercy Hospital Research Institute"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 20,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Maria L. Visciano"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Osaretin E. Asowata"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Neeharika Verma"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Meropi Aravantinou"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Patrick Barnable"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Abigail F. Meyer"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Gustavo Guzmán"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Larisa Kizima"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "José A. Fernández Romero"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Marlena Plagianos"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Caleb M. Ardizzone"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Rok Tkavc"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Alison J. Quayle"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Gary A. Jarvis"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Ann E. Jerse"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5
      ],
      "name": "R. Karl Malcolm"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Narender Kumar"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        6
      ],
      "name": "Dolores J. Lamb"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Lisa B. Haddad"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Natalia Teleshova"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/cxhkmpnz0j2kq.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1038/s41598-026-65145-9",
  "fulltext_url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-65145-9",
  "id": "cxhkmpnz0j2kq",
  "issns": [
    "2045-2322"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-65145-9",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Article"
    ],
    [
      "lcc",
      "Q"
    ],
    [
      "lcc",
      "R"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2404|Reproductive tract infections research"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7197023502",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": "PMC13736501",
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-08-01",
  "publisher": "Nature Portfolio",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/cxhkmpnz0j2kq.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-08T14:20:57Z",
      "native_id": "083ae0d8bd2442049e99c67ee379337b",
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      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-65145-9"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-09T12:21:56Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13736501",
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  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "openalex:2404|Reproductive tract infections research",
      "subfield": "microbiology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Copper sulfate–lactic acid combinations exhibit broad-spectrum microbicidal activity against viral and bacterial sexually transmitted pathogens in vitro and in vivo",
  "title_text": "Copper sulfate–lactic acid combinations exhibit broad-spectrum microbicidal activity against viral and bacterial sexually transmitted pathogens in vitro and in vivo",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-09T14:21:17Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/cxhkmpnz0j2kq",
  "venue": "Scientific Reports",
  "versions": []
}