Administration of products of the 5-lipoxygenase metabolic pathway to enhance antimicrobial defense

Abstract

The use of leukotrienes and other products of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway to enhance bacterial defense and treat infections is described. The products are especially useful when administered to the lungs for the treatment of pneumonia and other lower respiratory tract infections. The products may be administered for treatment or prophylactic purposes and may be administered concomitantly with antibiotics to combat infection.

1 . A method of enhancing antibacterial defense, comprising systemically administering an effective amount of a therapeutic composition to a host suspected of having a bacterial infection, said composition comprising a product of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said bacterial infection comprises bacterial pneumonia.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said 5-lipoxygenase product comprises a cysteinyl leukotriene.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said 5-lipoxygenase product comprises leukotriene B 4 .  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said systemic administration comprises parenteral administration.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said parenteral administration is selected from the group consisting of intraperitoneal and intravenous administration.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the co-administration of an antibiotic to said host.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said host comprises an animal.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said host comprises a human.  
   
   
       10 . A method of enhancing antibacterial defense, comprising systemically administering an effective amount of a therapeutic composition to a host at risk of having a bacterial infection, said composition comprising a product of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said bacterial infection comprises bacterial pneumonia.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said 5-lipoxygenase product comprises a cysteinyl leukotriene.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said 5-lipoxygenase product comprises leukotriene B 4 .  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said systemic administration comprises parenteral administration.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said parenteral administration is selected from the group consisting of intraperitoneal and intravenous administration.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the co-administration of an antibiotic to said host.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said host comprises an animal.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said host comprises a human.