Compositions for treating biofilms and methods for using same

1. A method for treating a microbial biofilm on a patient comprising contacting the microbial biofilm with a composition comprising about 20 w/w % to about 90 w/w % of a surface active agent selected from the group consisting of poloxamer 127, poloxamer 188, poloxamer 237, poloxamer 335, poloxamer 407, and combinations thereof and about 10% to greater than 50% less than a standard therapeutically effective amount of an antimicrobial agent for treatment of biofilms.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of antibacterial agents, antifungal agents, antiviral agents, and combinations thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of furaltadone, furazolium chloride, nifuradene, nifuratel, nifurfoline, nifurpirinol, nifurprazine, nifurtoinol, nitrofurantoin, furazolidone, 2-(methoxymethyl)-5-nitrofuran, nidroxyzone, nifuroxime, nifurazide, nitrofurazone, nystatin, polymyxin, silver sulfadiazine, nanocrystalline silver, ionic silver, honey, iodine, benzalkonium chloride, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, and combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the amount of an antimicrobial agent is less than about 1% by weight of the composition.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the amount of an antimicrobial agent is less than about 0.95% by weight of the composition.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the amount of an antimicrobial agent is less than about 0.75% by weight of the composition.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the surface active agent is poloxamer 188.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein contacting the microbial biofilm comprises applying the composition to a wound.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein contacting the microbial biofilm comprises administering the composition topically.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein administering the composition topically is selected from the group consisting of administering by hand, administering by an extruder, spray delivery, applying a dressing including the composition, and combinations thereof.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein contacting the microbial biofilm comprises contacting tissue from the patient that is outside the patient.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein contacting the microbial biofilm comprises applying the composition to a dressing and applying the dressing to the patient.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the patient is afflicted with an injury.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the injury is selected from the group consisting of burns, abrasions, cuts, scrapes, denuding tissue injuries, and combinations thereof.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the patient is afflicted with a chronic wound.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein chronic wound is selected from the group consisting of venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers, arterial ulcers, pressure ulcers, radiation ulcers, traumatic wounds, non-healing wounds, and combinations thereof.