Compositions and methods for controlling infections

Abstract

The invention features methods of inhibiting the growth of, or killing, fungal and certain bacterial microorganisms with one or more of a family of glycerol-based compounds.

1 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method of treatment or prophylaxis of a fungal vaginal infection in a subject in need thereof, comprising:
 administering to the subject comprising a fungal microorganism a composition comprising an effective amount of glycerol monolaurate as the sole active agent, and one or more pharmaceutical excipients, wherein the glycerol monolaurate is administered to the subject at a dosage of 0.0001-100 mg/kg.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the fungal vaginal microorganism is selected from the group consisting of the genus,  Candida, Cryptococcus, Histoplasma, Blastomyces, Paracoccidioides, Coccidioides, Sporothrix, Pneumocystis, Zygomycetes, Malassezia, Fusarium, Cladosporium, Pseudoallescheria, Penicillium,  or  Aspergillus.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the fungal vaginal microorganism is a  Candida  genus. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the fungal vaginal microorganism is selected from the group consisting of  Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida pseudotropicalis, Candida lusitaniae,  or  Candida guilliermondi.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the fungal vaginal microorganism is selected from the group consisting of  Penicillium  species  Penicillium marneffei, Penicillium chrysogenum,  or  Penicillium citrinum.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the fungal vaginal microorganism is selected from the group consisting of  Aspergillus  species  Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus,  or  Aspergillus niger.    
     
     
         23 . A method of treatment or prophylaxis of one or more conditions in a subject comprising:
 administering to the subject a composition comprising an effective amount of glycerol monolaurate as the sole active agent, and one or more pharmaceutical excipients,   wherein the glycerol monolaurate is administered to the subject at a dosage of 0.0001-100 mg/kg, and wherein the one or more conditions comprises deficiency of neutrophils, deficiency of T-cells, mucous membrane toxicity, immune disorders, cancers or undergoing cancer treatment.