Treatment of topical and systemic bacterial infections

Abstract

Bacteriophage covalently attached to a carrier particle with an average diameter of from 0.1 microns to 15 microns, are used in topical treatment of bacterial infection. Bacteriophage covalently attached to a carrier particle of average diameter 7 microns or less are used in systemic treatment of bacterial infection. A plurality of bacteriophages lytic against different bacterial strains gives wide antibacterial activity. A combination therapy comprises administration of antibiotic and bacteriophage covalently attached to a carrier particle.

1 - 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . A method of treating a bacterial contamination or infection of the skin in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering a topical formulation to the subject, wherein the topical formulation comprises a bacteriophage covalently attached to a carrier particle. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the carrier particle has an average diameter of up to 20 microns. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the carrier particle has an average diameter of from 0.1 microns to 15 microns. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the carrier has an average diameter of from 0.5 microns to 10 microns. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the treatment of bacterial contamination or infection is of intact skin. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the treatment of bacterial contamination or infection is of a skin pore. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein a symptom of the bacterial contamination or infection is acne. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein a symptom of the bacterial contamination or infection is body odour. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the topical formulation is free of salicylic acid and free of benzoyl peroxide. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein a symptom of the bacterial contamination or infection is selected from:
 (1) impetigo, e.g. caused by  S. aureus  and/or  S. pyogenes;      (2) folliculitis, furunculosis or carbunculosis, e.g. caused by  S. aureus  or  Pseudomonas aeruginosa;      (3) ecthyma, e.g. caused by  S. aureus  or  S. pyogenes;  or   (4) erysipelas or cellulitis, e.g. caused by group A β-hemolytic  streptococcus  (erysipelas),  S. aureus  (cellulitis) or  S. pyogenes.      
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the topical formulation comprises bacteriophage active against 3 or more strains of bacteria, covalently attached to carrier particles. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the topical formulation comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the topical formulation is in the form of a gel, cream or lotion. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the topical formulation one or more or all of:
 a gel-forming agent,   a cream-forming agent,   a wax,   an oil,   a surfactant, and   a binder.   
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the topical formulation comprises bacteriophages lytic for  P. acnes  covalently attached to the carrier particles. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the topical formulation comprises bacteriophages lytic for at least 3 different strains of  P. acnes  covalently attached to the carrier particles. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the topical formulation comprises bacteriophages lytic for  S. aureus  covalently attached to carrier particles. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the topical formulation comprises bacteriophages lytic for at least 3 different strains of  S. aureus  covalently attached to the carrier particles. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the topical formulation comprises bacteriophage at a concentration of 10 2  to 10 10  plaque-forming units (pfu) per ml. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the bacteriophage is selected from the group consisting of: Bacteriophage K, Myoviridae, Siphoviridae, Podoviridae, Lipothrixviridea, Rudiviridae, Ampullaviridae, Bacilloviridae, Bicaudaviridae, Clavaviridae, Corticoviridae, Cystoviridae, Fusseloviridae, Globuloviridae, Guttavirus, Inoviridae, Leviviridae, Microviridae, Plasmaviridae, and Tectiviridae.