Methods and compositions for treating conditions associated with infection and/or inflammation

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating and preventing conditions characterized by infection and/or inflammation, especially of the eyes, ears, nose, and/or throat. The methods of the invention involve administering hypohalous acid to the patient, such as in the form of a composition described herein.

What is claimed is claim: 
     
         1 . A method for treating a condition characterized by infection and/or inflammation, comprising: administering an effective amount of a hypohalous acid solution. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the condition is a condition of the eye, ear, nose, mouth, or throat. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the ocular condition includes conjunctivitis, blepharitis, external hordeolum, internal hordeolum, uveitis, canaliculitis, and/or dacrocystitis. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the condition involves a bacterial infection and/or biofilm. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the bacterial infection involves Staphylococci and/or Streptococci, including methicillin-resistant  Staphylococcus aureus.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the bacterial infection is antibiotic resistant. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the bacterial infection is resistant to a beta-lactam or fluoroquinilone antibiotic. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the hypohalous acid solution is administered after unsuccessful antibiotic treatment. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the hypohalous acid solution is administered in place of antibiotic treatment or prior to antibiotic treatment. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the infection is a superinfection of viral and bacterial etiologies. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the bacterial infection produces a discharge. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the condition is chronic or recurring. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the treatment reduces the capacity of the infection to spread. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the bacterial infection is an acute infection secondary to an acute or chronic inflammation. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the hypohalous acid is administered instead of anti-inflammatory medication and/or antibiotics. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the hypohalous acid solution reduces inflammation and clears said infection. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the condition is a viral infection. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hypohalous acid has a pH of from 4 to 7. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hypohalous acid is hypochlorous acid. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hypochlorous acid has an available free chlorine content of from 20 to 1000 ppm. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the hypohalous acid has an available free chlorine content of above 200 ppm. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the available free chlorine consists essentially of hypochlorous acid as an active agent. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the condition involves one or more of rhinitis, rhinonthea, nasal congestion, otitis media, external otitis, pharyngitis, and stomatitis, 
     
     
         24 . A composition comprising:
 an electrolyzed saline solution consisting essentially of hypohalous acid as an active agent, the electrolyzed solution having a pH of from about 4 to 7 and an available free chlorine content of from about 50 to about 1000 parts per million (ppm); and   a pharmaceutically acceptable buffer and/or carrier.