Methods of reducing microbial contamination

Abstract

Methods of delaying the onset of an infection or preventing an infection caused by a microbial organism in an internal cavity of a subject are provided. Methods of killing or inactivating microorganisms in at least a portion of the urethra of a subject are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of delaying the onset of an infection or preventing an infection caused by a microbial organism in an internal cavity of a subject, the method comprising:
 contacting at least a portion of an interior surface of the internal cavity with an antimicrobial composition wherein the antimicrobial composition comprises:
 an effective amount of an antimicrobial component comprising a first antimicrobial component comprising a cationic antiseptic and a second antimicrobial component selected from the group an antiseptic, an antibiotic, or combinations thereof; 
 a surfactant component distinct from the antimicrobial component, wherein the surfactant component is present in an amount of at least 0.1 wt-%, and wherein the surfactant component comprises a nonionic surfactant, anionic surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant, poloxamer surfactant, amine oxide surfactant, or combinations thereof. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the internal cavity is the abdominal cavity or peritoneal cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second antimicrobial component is an antimicrobial lipid antiseptic having an alkyl or alkylene group of at least 6 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the antimicrobial lipid has a solubility in water of no greater than 1 gram per 100 grams of deionized water. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the antimicrobial lipid has an alkyl group comprising at least 6 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the antimicrobial lipid has an alkyl group comprising at least 8 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the antimicrobial lipid is uncharged. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is nonionic. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interior cavity is that of a surgical incision. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interior cavity is the abdominal or peritoneal cavity. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cationic antiseptic is a biguanide. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the composition is buffered to a pH between 5 and 8. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial lipid is selected from the group consisting of fatty acid esters of a polyhydric alcohol or alkoxylated derivatives thereof, fatty ethers of a polyhydric alcohol or alkoxylated derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the antimicrobial lipid is a fatty acid ester of propylene glycol or glycerin. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the antimicrobial lipid is a C8-C12 fatty acid ester of glycerin. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is present at a concentration of at least 0.5 wt.-%. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is present at a concentration of at least 1.0 wt.-%. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein water is present in the composition in the greatest amount.