Use of hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes to dissolve biofilm in airway passages

Abstract

A composition for removal of biofilm in the airway passage is useful for the treatment of infections such as pneumonia cause by Mycoplasma pneumoniae. In general, the composition comprises: (1) a quantity of at least one enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of a bond that connects two monosaccharides in a polysaccharide or that connects a monosaccharide with a protein molecule in a glycoprotein sufficient to break down biofilm in the airway; and (2) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier suitable for administration into the airway. The composition can further include ingredients such as a steroid, lysozyme, lactoferrin, or a peroxidase; if a peroxidase is included, the composition can further include an oxidase to generate peroxide as well as a substrate for the oxidase. The composition can be used in methods for treatment of an infection based on the ability of the composition to dissolve biofilm in the airway.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES[0001]This application is a United States National Stage Application claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. 371 from International Patent Application No. PCT / US2008 / 51819 filed Jan. 23, 2008, which claims the benefit of priority from Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 948,343 filed Jul. 6, 2007, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to airway treatment compositions where the treatment composition contains biofilm dissolving enzymes, in particular hydrolytic enzymes and oxidative enzymes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Today, ventilator-induced pneumonia is one of the leading causes of hospital deaths due to infections. Such infections are frequently referred to as nosocomial infections.[0004]Mycoplasma pneumoniae is resistant to many antibiotics such as penicillin, cephalosporins, and vancomycin. M. pneumoniae causes a pneumonia often called “walking pneumonia” or “primary atypical pneumonia....

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023]The composition can further comprise at least one ingredient in a quantity effective to prevent or inhibit inflammation in the airway passage. This can be a steroid such as hydrocortisone.

Problems solved by technology

However the overuse of antibiotics is leading to a proliferation of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

The reason that antibiotics are frequently ineffective in this clinical situation is that recently it has been discovered that bacteria are living in a dormant state inside a slimy biofilm.

With time however, these bonds are strengthened, making removal difficult.

In addition, most bacteria in the biofilm are dormant and antibiotics typically only kill bacteria that are actively dividing.

Attachment often results in the production of extracellular polysaccharides and changes in cellular morphology and growth rates.

While biocides have proven effective in killing free-floating bacteria, they are not effective in destroying bacteria within a biofilm.

Many of these methods, although effective, are not suitable for use on biofilms that form on the body or within the body, such as in the respiratory tract.

These methods are too harsh and disruptive of tissue for use in this context.