Methods for treating ciliated cavities
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, 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 and/or loss of function (e.g., ability to clear material from the sinus cavity). Where such a targeted treatment area includes or might include a biofilm, the composition often can detach and assist in removing the biofilm from affected tissue.
1. An antimicrobial composition suitable for introduction into cilia-containing areas of an animal body, said composition being free of enzymes and consisting of:
a) a solvent component that consists of water and from 1.95 to 19.5% (w/v) ethanol, and
b) a solute component that comprises a metal ion sequestering agent and no more than 0.2% (w/v) anionic surfactant,
said composition having a buffered pH of from 4.8 to 5.8 and an effective solute concentration of no more than 300 mOsm/L.
2. The composition of claim 1 wherein said solute component is free of anionic surfactant.
3. The composition of claim 1 wherein said buffered pH is from 4.9 to 5.7.
4. The composition of claim 3 wherein said buffered pH is from 5.0 to 5.6.
5. The composition of claim 4 wherein said buffered pH is 5.25±0.3.
6. An antimicrobial composition suitable for introduction into cilia-containing areas of an animal body, said composition being free of enzymes and consisting of:
a) a solvent component that consists of water and means for reducing the overall δ p of the solvent component to a range from 14.5 to 15.9 MPa 1/2 , and
b) a solute component that comprises a metal ion sequestering agent and no more than 0.2% (w/v) anionic surfactant,
said composition having a buffered pH of from 4.8 to 5.8 and an effective solute concentration of no more than 300 mOsm/L.
7. The composition of claim 6 wherein said means reduces the overall δ p of the solvent component to a range of from 14.9 to 15.7 MPa 1/2 .
8. The composition of claim 7 wherein said means reduces the overall δ p of the solvent component to a range of from 14.7 to 15.8 MPa 1/2 .
9. The composition of claim 8 wherein said means reduces the overall δ p of the solvent component to 15.5±0.2 MPa 1/2 .
10. The composition of claim 6 wherein said solute component is free of anionic surfactant.
11. The composition of claim 6 wherein said buffered pH is from 4.9 to 5.7.
12. The composition of claim 11 wherein said buffered pH is from 5.0 to 5.6.
13. The composition of claim 12 wherein said buffered pH is 5.25±0.3.
14. A method for treating a sinus cavity comprising introducing thereto the composition of claim 1 .
15. A method for treating a middle or inner ear cavity comprising introducing thereto the composition of claim 2 .
16. The method of claim 14 wherein said composition is not flushed from said cavity.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein said composition is not flushed from said cavity.