Gallium inhibits biofilm formation
The present invention provides a gallium-containing composition for coating/impregnating a device or device surface to prevent biofilm growth formation. The present invention also provides a method of preventing or inhibiting biofilm growth formation. The present invention also provides methods for killing established biofilms.
1. A method of killing an established biofilm in or on a subject comprising:
(1) identifying a subject that has an established biofilm in or on the subject or has symptoms consistent with having an established biofilm in or on the subject; and
(2) providing to the subject a gallium-containing composition at a concentration sufficient to kill the established biofilm,
wherein the gallium-containing composition comprises gallium maltolate.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biofilm growth formation is bacterial biofilm growth formation.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the bacterial biofilm growth formation is caused by a Pseudomonas species.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the Pseudomonas species is P. aeruoginosa.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biofilm growth formation is fungi, yeast, or protozoa biofilm growth formation.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gallium-containing composition is provided to a subject with a lung infection.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the lung infection results from cystic fibrosis.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gallium-containing composition is provided to a subject with burn wounds.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gallium-containing composition is delivered systemically.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gallium-containing composition is delivered by aerosol.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gallium-containing composition comprises gallium nitrate.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gallium-containing composition is delivered topically.
13. A method of killing an established biofilm in or on a subject comprising:
(1) identifying a subject that has an established biofilm in or on the subject or has symptoms consistent with having an established biofilm in or on the subject; and
(2) providing to the subject a gallium-containing composition at a concentration sufficient to kill the established biofilm,
wherein the gallium-containing composition is delivered topically; and
wherein the gallium-containing composition is provided to a subject with burn wounds.