Methods and materials for treating and preventing inflammation of mucosal tissue

Abstract

The invention involves methods and materials for treating and preventing non-invasive fungus-induced mucositis. Specifically, the invention involves administrating an antifungal agent such that it contact mucus in an amount, at a frequency, and for a duration effective to prevent, reduce, or eliminate non-invasive fungus-induced rhinosinusitis. This invention also provides methods and materials for diagnosing non-invasive fungus-induced rhinosinusitis and culturing non-invasive fungus from a mammalian mucus sample as well as specific antifungal formulations and medical devices for treating and preventing non-invasive fungus-induced rhinosinusitis. In addition, the invention provides methods and materials for treating and preventing other non-invasive fungus-induced mucositis conditions such as chronic otitis media, chronic colitis, and Crohn's disease. Further, the invention involves methods and materials for treating and preventing chronic asthma symptoms.

1 - 69 . (canceled) 
   
   
       70 . A method for treating a mammal having asthma and non-invasive fungus-induced rhinosinusitis, comprising effectively mucoadministering a formulation in an amount, at a frequency, and for a duration to said mammal, wherein said formulation comprises an antifungal agent. 
   
   
       71 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said mammal is a human. 
   
   
       72 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said mammal is nonatopic. 
   
   
       73 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said mammal is immunocompetent. 
   
   
       74 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said asthma is chronic. 
   
   
       75 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said non-invasive fungus-induced rhinosinusitis is chronic. 
   
   
       76 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said non-invasive fungus-induced rhinosinusitis is characterized by polyp formation or polypoid change. 
   
   
       77 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said mucoadministration comprises direct mucoadministration. 
   
   
       78 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said method comprises mucoadministering said formulation to at least a portion of the nasal-paranasal anatomy of said mammal. 
   
   
       79 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said method comprises mucoadministering said formulation to at least a portion of the airways of said mammal. 
   
   
       80 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said method comprises mucoadministering said formulation to at least a portion of the lung airways of said mammal. 
   
   
       81 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said formulation is in a solid form. 
   
   
       82 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said formulation is in a liquid form. 
   
   
       83 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said formulation is in an aerosol form. 
   
   
       84 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said formulation is in a form selected from the group consisting of a powder, crystalline substance, gel, paste, ointment, salve, cream, solution, suspension, partial liquid, spray, nebulae, mist, atomized vapor, aerosol, and tincture. 
   
   
       85 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said mucoadministration comprises irrigating at least a portion of the nasal-paranasal anatomy of said mammal with a liquid form of said formulation. 
   
   
       86 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said mucoadministration comprises applying an aerosol form of said formulation to at least a portion of the nasal-paranasal anatomy of said mammal. 
   
   
       87 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said mucoadministration comprises applying a powder form of said formulation to at least a portion of the nasal-paranasal anatomy of said mammal. 
   
   
       88 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said antifungal agent comprises a macrolide. 
   
   
       89 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said antifungal agent interpolates fungal cell wall components.