Compositions and methods for treating bacteria

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of bacteriology. In particular, the present invention provides compositions (e.g., comprising a lantibiotic and mupirocin or gentamicin) and methods of treating (e.g., killing or inhibiting growth of) bacteria. For example, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions (e.g., comprising a lantibiotic and mupirocin or gentamicin) and methods of using the same in research, therapeutic and drug screening applications.

1 . A composition comprising nisin and mupirocin. 
   
   
       2 . The composition of  claim 1 , comprising 6% nisin and 2% mupirocin. 
   
   
       3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein said formulation provides a more than additive killing and/or growth inhibition of bacterial cells administered the formulation compared to individual administration of either nisin or mupirocin. 
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein said killing and/or inhibiting bacterial cells occurs within an existing bacterial infection. 
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein said bacterial cells comprise bacteria of the genus  Staphylococcus.    
   
   
       6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein said bacterial cells comprise  Staphylococcus aureus.    
   
   
       7 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein said  Staphylococcus aureus  are pathogenic 
   
   
       8 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein said  Staphylococcus aureus  comprise drug resistant  Staphylococcus aureus.    
   
   
       9 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein said  Staphylococcus aureus  are methicillin resistant. 
   
   
       10 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
   
   
       11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein said carrier comprises polyethylene glycol. 
   
   
       12 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein said carrier is an emulsion. 
   
   
       13 . The composition of  claim 10 , formulated for administration to a wound. 
   
   
       14 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a wound dressing or bandage. 
   
   
       15 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an acellular biological matrix. 
   
   
       16 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a liposome. 
   
   
       17 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a solid phase material selected from the group consisting of surgical staple, zipper and catheter. 
   
   
       18 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an agent selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono-oleoate (Polysorbate 80), sorbitan mono-oleate (Span 80), p-isooctyl polyoxyethylene-phenol polymer (Triton WR-1330), polyoxyethylene sorbitan tri-oleate (Tween 85), dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, and sodium sarcosinate (Sarcosyl NL-97).