Hydrogen Peroxide Feed Composition for Cryptosporidium Oocyst Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There are no approved therapeutics in the United States for combatting Cryptosporidium infection in food animals, and Cryptosporidium oocysts are resistant to chlorine disinfectants, leading to widespread transmission in confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
Compositions containing hydrogen peroxide-generating sources like sodium percarbonate or glucose oxidase with dextrose are added to animal feed, particularly milk replacer, to reduce the number and infectivity of Cryptosporidium oocysts in animals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If chlorine disinfectant is used to treat Cryptosporidium oocysts, then general disinfection is achieved, but the oocysts remain resistant and transmission continues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter from chlorine-based disinfectant to hydrogen peroxide-based system. Hydrogen peroxide generates hydroxyl radicals through Fenton reaction with iron ions, creating a different chemical mechanism that overcomes chlorine resistance. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide (0.01-10 mM) and iron ions (0.001-1 mM) are optimized to achieve effective disinfection while maintaining safety for animal consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydrogen peroxide in combination with iron ions to generate highly reactive hydroxyl radicals through the Fenton reaction. This accelerated oxidation system produces stronger oxidizing capability than chlorine alone, effectively destroying the protective wall of Cryptosporidium oocysts and inactivating the parasites inside, thereby overcoming the resistance problem
2Adaptability or versatility
If no therapeutics are available for Cryptosporidium infection, then treatment options are limited, but this leaves infected animals without effective combat strategies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces hydrogen peroxide and iron ions as intermediary substances that mediate the destruction of Cryptosporidium oocysts. These intermediaries generate hydroxyl radicals that act as the active therapeutic agent, providing a new treatment mechanism that was previously unavailable. The system can be administered orally through feed or water, making it versatile for treating infected animals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies hydrogen peroxide-generating compositions to feed or water before the animal consumes it, creating a preventive and therapeutic effect. The hydrogen peroxide is continuously generated in the animal's digestive system, providing ongoing protection and treatment. This preliminary action approach allows the animal to gain weight even when infected, as the treatment is already in place before severe symptoms develop
3Productivity
If Cryptosporidium oocysts are shed in feces of infected animals, then transmission risk increases in confined spaces, but reducing oocyst shedding and infectivity is needed to control spread
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of oocyst shedding into a benefit by using the animal's own digestive environment to activate the hydrogen peroxide system. The hydrogen peroxide-generating composition is safe to administer to infected animals, and the resulting hydroxyl radicals selectively destroy oocysts in the feces while the animal continues to absorb nutrients and gain weight. The treatment transforms the transmission risk into an opportunity for controlling the disease
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The compositions effectively decrease the number of oocysts shed and their infectivity, preventing cryptosporidiosis and promoting weight gain in infected animals, while also reducing transmission to uninfected animals.
Implementation Method 1
The compositions include a hydrogen peroxide-generating source, which may be sodium percarbonate or glucose oxidase with dextrose
Implementation Method 2
The source of hydrogen peroxide is sodium percarbonate or glucose oxidase with dextrose
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions for preventing or decreasing cryptosporidiosis include sources of hydrogen peroxide and are fed to animals. The animals may be neonatal calves and the cryptosporidiosis may be caused by Cryptosporidium parvum. Methods of preventing or decreasing cryptosporidiosis in animals by feeding the hydrogen peroxide-generating compositions to the animals are also disclosed. Some disclosed methods reduce the number of Cryptosporidium oocysts shed by an infected animal or reduce the infectivity of Cryptosporidium oocysts shed by an infected animal. Some methods include feeding the hydrogen peroxide-generating compositions to animals ultimately afflicted with cryptosporidiosis, and the animals gain weight despite the infection.