Antimicrobial molecular conjugates for the treatment and prevention of
infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms in human and
animals are provided. The key to these conjugates is a special spacer
connecting at least one photosensitizer to a microorganism receptor
(vector) which in turn binds selectively to the surface of a
microorganism bringing about photo-destruction upon irradiation. Spacers
having hydrophilic structure such as ethylene glycol units and amino
carboxyl end capped ethylene glycol units must be used for linking the
vector to the photosensitizer. In a preferred embodiment a spacer would
have at least 3 ethylene glycol units and be end capped with a carboxyl
group on one end and a amino group at the other end. The present
invention effectively works to combat bacterial infection in the real
patient-related environments where blood, serum and other body fluids are
always present or at least nearby of selected length and structure, in
preferred embodiments, are used for linking the vector to the
photosensitizer. These conjugate are found to be very effective in
combating bacterial infection in the real patient-related environments
where blood, serum and other body fluids are always present or a least
nearby. A method of use is also provided.