Immobilisation and stabilisation of virus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for immobilization and optional stabilization of viruses whilst retaining the viral biological activity and the use of immobilized virus in therapy. In particular, the immobilized virus relates to immobilized bacteriophage and their use as an antibiotic or bacteriostatic agent and in the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections.

1 . A method for treating or preventing viral, bacterial, or prion infection and/or contamination in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to said subject a device comprising bacteriophage immobilised to a substrate via covalent bonds formed between the bacteriophage head group or nucleocapsid and the substrate, such that the bacteriophage retains infectivity. 
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said infection is a viral infection. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said infection is a bacterial infection. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said infection is a prion infection. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein immobilisation confers increased stability to said bacteriophage. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said device has a plurality of different strain-specific bacteriophage immobilised thereon. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said substrate is a material which is activated to allow head-group specific binding of a bacteriophage. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said bacteriophage is immobilised via its head group leaving the tail group free. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein immobilisation of bacteriophage to a substrate via a covalent bond is aided by the addition of a coupling agent. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said coupling agent is carbodiimide or glutaraldehyde for coupling of bacteriophage to the substrate nylon or other polymer with amino or carboxy surface groups; vinylsulfonylethylene ether or triazine for coupling of bacteriophage to the substrate cellulose or other hydroxyl-containing polymer; permanganate oxidation for the coupling of bacteriophage to the substrate polythene or other similar polymer. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said activation is carried out by corona discharge. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said immobilised bacteriophage is treated with a compound that protects proteins against dehydration, prolonged storage and other stresses and wherein said immobilised bacteriophage displays increased viability and an infectivity when treated in comparison to untreated bacteriophage. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said compound is trehalose. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said device is a bandage, suture, compress or wound-dressing, implant, bead, or plaster. 
   
   
       15 . A method for treating or preventing viral, bacterial, or prion infection and/or contamination in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to said subject a device comprising bacteriophage immobilised to a substrate wherein the substrate has been activated using corona discharge and the bacteriophage is immobilised to the substrate via covalent bonds formed between the bacteriophage head group or nucleocapsid such that the bacteriophage retains infectivity. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said infection is a viral infection. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said infection is a bacterial infection. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said infection is a prion infection. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein immobilisation confers increased stability to said bacteriophage. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said device has a plurality of different strain-specific bacteriophage immobilised thereon. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein immobilisation of bacteriophage to a substrate via a covalent bond is aided by the addition of a coupling agent. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said coupling agent is carbodiimide or glutaraldehyde for coupling of bacteriophage to the substrate nylon or other polymer with amino or carboxy surface groups; vinylsulfonylethylene ether or triazine for coupling of bacteriophage to the substrate cellulose or other hydroxyl-containing polymer; permanganate oxidation for the coupling of bacteriophage to the substrate polythene or other similar polymer. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said immobilised bacteriophage is treated with a compound that protects proteins against dehydration, prolonged storage and other stresses and wherein said immobilised bacteriophage displays increased viability and an infectivity when treated in comparison to untreated bacteriophage. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said compound is trehalose. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said device is a bandage, suture, compress or wound-dressing, implant, bead, or plaster.