METHODS FOR USING ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOSITIONS
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.
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.