Growth control of oral and superficial organisms using gallium compounds

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for treating or preventing diseases and disorders caused by iron-dependent pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and parasites, by applying a gallium compound to an affected area. In particular, the present invention provides methods for treating or preventing dental caries, vaginal infections, skin infections, and so forth. Gallium compounds can be formulated as toothpaste, mouthwash, cream, ointment, gel, solution, eye drops, suppository, and the like. Furthermore, the invention provides methods for controlling microbial growth on environmental surfaces, including those of toothbrush, denture, dental retainer, contact lens, catheter, food stuff, and so forth. In addition, the present invention provides animal feeds which contain gallium compounds that promote the animal growth and prevent the animals from infections as well as protect consumers from post processing infections.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for controlling the growth of a microorganism on a skin surface of a subject, comprising:
 applying a therapeutically effective amount of a gallium compound to the skin surface, thereby controlling the growth of the microorganism.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gallium compound is formulated as a cream, lotion, solution, spray, aerosol, ointment, gel, or is formulated for slow diffusion. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gallium compound is selected from the group consisting of: gallium nitrate, gallium maltolate, gallium citrate, gallium phosphate, gallium chloride, gallium fluoride, gallium carbonate, gallium formate, gallium acetate, gallium sulfate, gallium tartrate, gallium oxalate, gallium oxide, and gallium complexes including gallium pyrones, gallium pyridones, gallium oximes, gallium-bound proteins, and gallium-bound siderophores. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microorganism is selected from the group consisting of: a species of  Staphylococcus;  Group A streptococci; a species of  Enterococcus; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Candida albicans;  a species of  Microsporon;  a species of  Trichophyton;  a species of  Pasteurella;  a species of  Capnocytophaga,  a species of  Klebsiella;  and a species of  Vibrio.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microorganism is drug resistant. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the drug resistant microorganism is methicillin-resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA), or vancomycin-resistant  Enterococcus faecalis  (VRE). 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human subject or a veterinary subject. 
     
     
         8 . A method for treating or preventing an infection on a skin surface of a subject, comprising:
 applying a therapeutically effective amount of a gallium compound to the skin surface, thereby preventing or treating the infection.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the gallium compound is formulated as a cream, lotion, solution, spray, aerosol, ointment, gel, or is formulated for slow diffusion. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the gallium compound is applied to the skin of the subject on or embedded in a bandage or wound dressing. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the gallium compound is selected from the group consisting of: gallium nitrate, gallium maltolate, gallium citrate, gallium phosphate, gallium chloride, gallium fluoride, gallium carbonate, gallium formate, gallium acetate, gallium sulfate, gallium tartrate, gallium oxalate, gallium oxide, and gallium complexes including gallium pyrones, gallium pyridones, gallium oximes, gallium-bound proteins, and gallium-bound siderophores. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the microorganism is selected from the group consisting of: a species of  Staphylococcus;  Group A streptococci; a species of  Enterococcus; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Candida albicans;  a species of  Microsporon;  a species of  Trichophyton;  a species of  Pasteurella;  a species of  Capnocytophaga,  a species of  Klebsiella;  and a species of  Vibrio.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the microorganism is drug resistant. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the drug resistant microorganism is methicillin-resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA), or vancomycin-resistant  Enterococcus faecalis  (VRE). 
     
     
         15 . A method for disinfecting a skin surface of a subject, comprising:
 applying a therapeutically effective amount of a gallium compound to the skin surface, thereby disinfecting the skin surface.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the gallium compound is formulated as a cream, lotion, solution, spray, aerosol, ointment, gel, or is formulated for slow diffusion. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the gallium compound is applied as soap, shampoo, or hand disinfectant. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the gallium compound is selected from the group consisting of: gallium nitrate, gallium maltolate, gallium citrate, gallium phosphate, gallium chloride, gallium fluoride, gallium carbonate, gallium formate, gallium acetate, gallium sulfate, gallium tartrate, gallium oxalate, gallium oxide, and gallium complexes including gallium pyrones, gallium pyridones, gallium oximes, gallium-bound proteins, and gallium-bound siderophores. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the microorganism is drug resistant. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the drug resistant microorganism is methicillin-resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA), or vancomycin-resistant  Enterococcus faecalis  (VRE).