Antimicrobial compounds

Abstract

The present invention relates to compounds that modulate the shikimate pathway and/or a pathway branching from the shikimate pathway in members of the Amoebida Order. In particular these compounds may be useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases caused or contributed to by members of the Amoebida Order.

1 . A sterile composition comprising,
 one or more compounds capable of modulating the shikimate pathway and/or a pathway branching from the shikimate pathway in a sterile formulation.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said sterile formulation is a topical ophthalmic formulation. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said sterile formulation is a solution. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein said solution comprises neutral saline. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more compounds modulates the shikimate pathway and/or a pathway branching from the shikimate pathway in a member of the Amoebida Order. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein said member is  Acanthamoeba castellanii  and/or  Acanthamoeba polyphaga.    
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more compounds inhibits an enzyme or enzymes of the shikimate pathway and/or an enzyme or enzymes of a pathway branching from the shikimate pathway, in a member of the Amoebida Order. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein said one or more compounds is a specific, non-specific or competitive enzyme inhibitor. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said one or more compounds inhibits the activity of EPSP synthase. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more compounds comprises glyphosate and/or compounds related to glyphosate. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more compounds comprises glyphosate in a concentration of at least 22 μM. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , comprising glyphosate and at least one other compound capable of modulating the shikimate pathway or a pathway branching from the shikimate pathway in a sterile formulation. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said pathway branching from the shikimate pathway is the folate pathway. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said one or more compounds is capable of modulating an enzyme of the folate pathway. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein said one or more compounds are selected from the group consisting of sulphonamides, pyrimethamine, proguanil, cycloguanyl, trimethoprim, triazine and PS-15. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more compounds is selected from the group consisting of an oligonucleotide sequence a nucleic acid, which interferes with the functional sequences encoding the enzymes of the shikimate pathway and/or a pathway branching from the shikimate pathway in members of the Amoebida Order. 
     
     
         17 . The composition according to  claim 16  wherein the nucleic acid is an interfering RNA (iRNA), short interfering RNA (siRNA) or antisense oligonucleotide. 
     
     
         18 . A method of cleaning or storing a contact lens comprising,
 a. contacting said contact lens with the composition of  claim 1 ,   
       wherein said contact lens is cleaned or stored. 
     
     
         19 . A receptacle comprising the composition of  claim 1  for use in cleaning and/or storing contact lenses. 
     
     
         20 . The receptacle of  claim 20 , further comprising at least one contact lens.