Materials and methods for preventing and treating microbe-mediated epithelial disorders

Abstract

The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions in the form of relatively high molecular weight biocompatible polymers such as polyethylene glycol, optionally supplemented with a protective polymer such as dextran and/or essential pathogen nutrients such as L-glutamine. Also provided are methods for preventing or treating gut-derived sepsis attributable to intestinal pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa by administering high molecular weight polyethylene glycol as well as methods for monitoring the administration of high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, such as in methods of preventing, ameliorating or treating microbe-induced epithelial disorders, as exemplified by gut-derived sepsis. Frequently, gut-derived sepsis arises as a complication in mammals recovering from surgical intervention or suffering from a disease or disorder, providing indications of suitable animals to receive preventative treatment. Finally, the invention provides a composition comprising infant formula and polyethylene glycol and methods for using that composition.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method of ameliorating intestinal pathogenesis by preventing formation of pathogenic quorum-sensing activation comprising administering an effective dose of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to an animal in need thereof, wherein the PEG has an average molecular weight of at least 5,000 daltons. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17  wherein the PEG has an average molecular weight of at least 15,000 daltons. 
     
     
         19 . A method of inhibiting bacterial cell adherence to a mammalian intestine comprising contacting the intestine with polyethylene glycol (PEG), wherein the PEG has an average molecular weight of at least 5,000 daltons. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19  wherein the bacterial cell is a Pseudomonad. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20  wherein the Pseudomonad is  Pseudomonas aeruginosa.    
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 19  wherein the PEG has an average molecular weight of at least 15,000 daltons. 
     
     
         23 - 55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . A method of preventing a digestive tract disorder comprising administering an effective dose of a composition comprising polyethylene glycol (PEG) to an animal in need thereof, wherein the PEG has an average molecular weight of at least 5,000 daltons. 
     
     
         57 . The method according to  claim 56  wherein the digestive tract disorder is selected from the group consisting of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis, antibiotic-induced diarrhea, pseudomembranous colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel disease, neutropenic enterocolitis, pancreatitis, dysbiosis syndrome and microscopic colitis. 
     
     
         58 - 75 . (canceled)