Agents and methods for modulating pathogen activity

A method of reducing likelihood of developing an infection with a pathogen in a subject not infected with the pathogen but known to be susceptible to the infection and considered likely to develop the infection, or in a subject considered likely to develop a recurrence of a previously treated infection, wherein the pathogen is a Neisseria species or a retrovirus that interacts with a complement receptor 3 (CR3) polypeptide of a CR3 polypeptide-expressing cell, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a dibenzoazepine compound of Formula (I):

• wherein:
• R is hydrogen, hydroxyl, NHC1-4alkyl, OCOC1-4alkyl or oxo;
• X and Y are independently hydrogen or halogen;
• Z is C1-4 alkyl, CONR1R2, C1-4alkyleneNR1R2, C1-4alkylene (NO) R1R2 or quinuclidinyl;
• R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted C1-6 alkyl;
• or R1 and R2 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a
• 3 to 8 membered heterocycloalkyl ring which may be optionally substituted;
• and
• the C10-C11 bond is a single or a double bond;
• wherein when R is oxo, the C10-C11 bond is a single bond;
• or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.