Methods for using antimicrobial compositions

Abstract

A composition that can be used to treat a wide spectrum of gram positive and gram negative bacteria, including but not limited to those in biofilm form, and other microbes can be used in cilia-containing areas such as the sinus cavities and middle/inner ear, while resulting in no, or very minimal amounts of, deciliation. Where such a targeted treatment area includes a biofilm, the composition often can detach and assist in removing the biofilm from affected tissue. Many embodiments of the composition are biocompatible.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating a cilia-containing area of an animal body, said method comprising:
 a) introducing to said area a composition having a pH of from 6 to 8 and an effective solute concentration of no more than 400 mOsm/L, wherein said composition consists of
 (1) a solvent component that comprises water and at least 2% (w/v) of one or more organic liquids, and 
 (2) a solute component that comprises organic acid, no more than 1% (w/v) anionic surfactant, and at least 0.005% (w/v) of one or more enzymes which are active at 6≤pH≤8; and 
   b) permitting said composition to lyse bacteria contained in said area.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said composition has an effective solute concentration of no more than 250 mOsm/L. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said composition has an effective solute concentration of no more than 200 mOsm/L. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said organic acid is a polyacid. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said polyacid is citric acid. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said solute component further comprises a buffer precursor. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said buffer precursor comprises a salt of said organic acid. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said salt of an acid is a sodium salt of citric acid. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said solute component comprises no more than 0.8% (w/v) anionic surfactant. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said solute component comprises no more than 0.7% (w/v) anionic surfactant. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said solute component comprises no more than 0.5% (w/v) anionic surfactant. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said cilia-containing area is a sinus cavity. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said solute component is free of anionic surfactant. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said cilia-containing area is the middle or inner ear. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said one or more enzymes is lysozyme. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said one or more organic liquids comprises DMSO. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said one or more organic liquids comprises ethanol. 
     
     
         18 . A process for treating a sinus cavity of an animal, said method comprising:
 a) introducing to said sinus cavity a composition having a pH of from 6 to 8 and an effective solute concentration of from 100 to 275 mOsm/L, wherein said composition consists of
 (1) a solvent component that comprises water and from 2 to 20% (w/v) DMSO, and 
 (2) a solute component that comprises 0.1 to 50 g/L organic acid, from 10 to 65 g/L anionic surfactant, from 60 to 400 ppm of one or more enzymes which are active at 6≤pH≤8, and a buffer precursor; and 
   b) permitting said composition to lyse bacteria contained in said sinus cavity.   
     
     
         19 . A method for treating the middle or inner ear of an animal, said method comprising:
 a) introducing to the ear cavity of said animal a composition having a pH of from 6 to 8 and an effective solute concentration of from 100 to 275 mOsm/L, wherein said composition consists of
 (1) a solvent component that comprises water and from 2 to 9% (w/v) ethanol, and 
 (2) a solute component that comprises 0.1 to 50 g/L organic acid, less than 0.5 g/L anionic surfactant, from 60 to 400 ppm of one or more enzymes which are active at 6≤pH≤8, and a buffer precursor; and 
   b) permitting said composition to lyse bacteria contained in said ear cavity.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said one or more enzymes is lysozyme.