Compositions and methods for the treatment or the prevention of
Compositions and methods for treating or preventing E. coli infections are provided. The compositions can be formulated as pharmaceutical compositions or as disinfectants, sanitizers, detergents or antiseptics, and can be used to eradicate or reduce E. coli populations and thereby treat or prevent infection by E. coli . The compositions include one or more digestive enzymes, e.g., one or more protease, lipases, and amylases. Methods of use of the compositions are also provided.
1. A method for the treatment or prevention of Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) infection in a bird or a mammal, comprising administering to the bird or mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition that consists of digestive enzymes, one or more excipient(s), and a lipid coating; wherein the digestive enzymes comprise a protease, an amylase, and a lipase, wherein the lipid coating coats the digestive enzymes and the one or more excipient(s), and wherein the pharmaceutical composition is bacteriocidal or bacteriostatic for E. coli.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the digestive enzymes further comprise one or more enzyme(s) selected from the group consisting of a cellulase, a sucrase, a maltase, and papain.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the digestive enzymes comprise pancreatic enzymes.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the digestive enzymes comprise pig enzymes.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the digestive enzymes comprise a mixture of proteases, and wherein the mixture of proteases comprises chymotrypsin and trypsin.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the digestive enzymes are animal enzymes, microbial enzymes, plant enzymes, or are synthetically prepared.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mammal is a pig, a horse, a cow, a dog, a cat, a monkey, a rat, a mouse, a sheep, a goat, or a human; or wherein the bird is a chicken, a duck, a turkey, or a goose.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the digestive enzymes are derived from an animal source, and wherein the animal source is a pig pancreas.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises at least one amylase, a mixture of proteases comprising chymotrypsin and trypsin, and at least one lipase.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein a ratio of total protease to total lipase in the pharmaceutical composition in U.S.P. units ranges from about 1:1 to about 20:1.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of total protease to total lipase in the pharmaceutical composition in U.S.P. units ranges from about 4:1 to about 10:1.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for oral administration.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for topical administration.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is bacteriocidal or bacteriostatic for a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is bacteriocidal or bacteriostatic for an Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC).
16. A method of treating a mammal or bird exhibiting one or more symptoms of an Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) infection, comprising administering to the mammal or bird a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition that consists of digestive enzymes, one or more excipient(s), and a lipid coating; wherein the digestive enzymes comprise a protease, an amylase, and a lipase, wherein the lipid coating coats the digestive enzymes and the one or more excipient(s), and wherein the pharmaceutical composition is bacteriocidal or bacteriostatic for the E. coli.
17. The method of claim 1 or 16 , further comprising administering a beta-lactam antibiotic to the mammal or bird.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is bacteriocidal or bacteriostatic for an Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC).
19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is bacteriocidal or bacteriostatic for an Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC).
20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is bacteriocidal or bacteriostatic for a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).
21. The method of claim 16 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is bacteriocidal or bacteriostatic for an Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC).
22. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lipid coating comprises a soy oil.
23. The method of claim 16 , wherein the lipid coating comprises a soy oil.