Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) for treatment of drug resistant microorganisms

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to the use of compositions comprising methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), and one or more therapeutic agents, for the treatment of drug-sensitive and drug resistant microorganisms. In several embodiments, such compositions are effective in treating drug resistant infectious diseases, for example, MRSA.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of inhibiting a drug-sensitive bacterial pathogen from developing drug resistance, comprising:
 selecting a drug sensitive bacterial pathogen; and   contacting the drug-sensitive bacterial pathogen with a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of MSM and a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that inhibits the drug-sensitive bacterial pathogen, thereby inhibiting the drug-sensitive bacterial pathogen from developing drug resistance.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bacterial pathogen is  Escherichia coli.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agent is a Beta-lactam antibiotic. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the agent comprises penicillin derivatives, cephalosporins, penems, monobactams, carbapenems, Beta-lactamase inhibitors or a combination of two or more thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the agent comprises cephalexin, cephalothin, cefazolin, cefaclor, cefuroxime, cefamandole, cefotetan, cefoxitin, ceforanide, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, cefpodoxime proxetil, ceftazidime, cefepime, cefoperazone, ceftizoxime, cefixime or cefpirome. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of MSM is about 5-20% MSM, about 5-16% MSM, about 5-10% MSM, about 5-8% MSM, about 9-16% MSM or about 10-15% MSM. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of MSM is about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16% MSM. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of MSM is about 10-16% MSM. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bacterial pathogen is on a surface. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bacterial pathogen is in a subject. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered topically. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered with an inhalant device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bacterial pathogen is contacted with the composition for about 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108 or 120 hours. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises 0-5% sodium chloride.