USE OF AN INJECTABLE ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOSITION FOR THE PREVENTION AND/OR TREATMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

1 . A method for treating osteoarthritis, the method comprising applying a broad spectrum antimicrobial formulation to the subchondral bone of a mammal.

2 . A method according to claim 1 wherein the broad spectrum antimicrobial formulation is applied to the subchondral bone of a mammal to prevent bone trauma from progressing to osteoarthritis.

3 . A method according to claim 1 wherein the broad spectrum antimicrobial formulation is applied to the subchondral bone of a mammal to treat established osteoarthritis.

4 . A method according to claim 1 wherein the mammal is a human.

5 . A method according to claim 1 wherein the broad spectrum antimicrobial formulation is applied locally into subchondral bone or adjacent to subchondral bone.

6 . A method according to claim 1 wherein the broad spectrum antimicrobial formulation inhibits the growth of anaerobic microbes.

7 . A method according to claim 1 wherein the broad spectrum antimicrobial formulation comprises Taurolidine.

8 . A pharmaceutical composition for treating infections, the pharmaceutical composition comprising Taurolidine carried by one from the group consisting of: hydrogels, liquids, thixotropic gels, colloidal mixtures, dispersal suspensions, and injectable polymers.

9 . A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 8 wherein the pharmaceutical composition is configured to provide for a sustained release of Taurolidine at a concentration sufficiently high, and capable of being applied to the region for a sufficient period of time, to treat the infection.

10 . A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 9 wherein the pharmaceutical composition is configured to provide for the hydrolysis of Taurolidine to its active methylol moieties in the subchondral bone.

11 . A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 8 wherein the Taurolidine is delivered in nanoparticles dispersed in a carrier.

12 . A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 8 wherein the nanoparticles comprise a Taurolidine core surrounded by an encapsulant, wherein the encapsulant breaks down when exposed to body fluids.

13 . A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 12 wherein the nanoparticles comprise a Taurolidine core encapsulated by a glyceride.

14 . A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 13 wherein the glyceride comprises at least one from the group consisting of mono-, di- and tri-glycerides.

15 . A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 12 wherein the nanoparticles comprise a Taurolidine core encapsulated by lipophilic peptides.

16 . A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 15 wherein the lipophilic peptides comprise at least one from the group consisting of valine, leucine, proline, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and combinations of the foregoing.

17 . A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 12 wherein the encapsulant also comprises Taurolidine.

18 . A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 12 wherein the nanoparticles comprise a body and Taurolidine dispersed within the body, and further wherein the body breaks down when exposed to body fluids.

19 . A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 11 wherein the carrier comprises at least one from the group consisting of hydrogels, liquids, thixotropic gels, colloidal mixtures, dispersal suspensions and injectable polymers.

20 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising Taurolidine and at least one selected from the group consisting of a Pluronic formulation; Hyaluronic acid (HA) and water; chitin and water; chitosan (or alginate) and water; and cyclodextrin and water.

21 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising Taurolidine and a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based hydrogel system.

22 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising Taurolidine and a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-based hydrogel system.

23 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising Taurolidine in a crystalline salt form suspended in a carrier for administration to subchondral bone.