Compositions and methods for controlling infections
The invention features methods of inhibiting the growth of, or killing, fungal and certain bacterial microorganisms with one or more of a family of glycerol-based compounds.
1. A method of treatment or prophylaxis of a bacterial vaginosis infection in a subject in need thereof, wherein the bacterial vaginosis infection is caused by a bacterial microorganism of the genus Gardnerella , the method comprising:
administering to the subject a composition comprising an effective amount of glycerol monolaurate (GML) and one or more pharmaceutical excipients,
wherein the subject has been exposed to a bacterial microorganism of the genus Gardnerella and the GML is administered to the subject at a dosage of 0.0001-100 mg/kg.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a vertebrate.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the vertebrate is a mammal.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the mammal is a human.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: before, simultaneous with, or after the administration of the glycerol monolaurate (GML), administering one or more supplementary agents.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the one or more supplementary agents are antibiotics.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the Gardnerella bacterial microorganism is a Gardnerella vaginalis bacterial microorganism.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more pharmaceutical excipients comprises ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more pharmaceutical excipients comprises ascorbic acid.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more pharmaceutical excipients comprises propylene glycol.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more pharmaceutical excipients comprises polyethylene glycol.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more supplementary agents comprises Lactobacillus .