Materials and methods for controlling infections
The subject invention provides materials methods for reducing infections in subjects. The materials methods utilize chlorhexidine, which has been found to be surprisingly non-toxic. The lack of toxicity facilitates the use of chlorhexidine in contexts that were not previously thought to be possible.
1. A method for treating a biofilm infection at a site in a subject, wherein said method comprises administering, to the biofilm, an aqueous solution having an active ingredient that consists of chlorhexidine at a concentration of 0.05% or less, wherein the site is an indwelling medical device.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the chlorhexidine is chlorhexidine gluconate.
3. The method, according to claim 1 , wherein the indwelling medical device is an implant, stent, or catheter.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein biofilm is determined to exist at the site prior to the administration of the chlorhexidine.
5. The method, according to claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human.