A method is provided for inhibiting the growth of Gram negative bacteria, Gram positive bacteria, fungi and/or yeasts in a subject in need thereof. The method includes administering to the subject an antimicrobial peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence having the following general formula: X1LX2WVX3IWX4X5, where X1, X2, X3, X4 and X5 are independently selected from K and R and where each amino acid is independently in D or L configuration, or a salt or a solvate thereof. In addition, a method is provided for preventing contamination of an article by and/or for decontaminating an article from Gram negative bacteria, Gram positive bacteria, fungi and/or yeasts. The method includes contacting the article with an antimicrobial agent, where the antimicrobial agent is the antimicrobial peptide.