Method of inhibiting harmful microorganisms and barrier-forming composition therefor

Abstract

A method for blocking, neutralizing, or killing microorganisms that cause infectious disease in a mammal prior to or during the mammal encountering a contaminated environment or item includes: identifying a contaminated environment or item, wherein the contaminated environment or item is known or expected to be contaminated with harmful viral, fungal, or bacterial microorganisms; and administering a therapeutically effective amount of a barrier-forming composition to a mucosa of the mammal prior to or during the mammal encountering the contaminated environment or item. The barrier-forming composition provides a barrier on the mucosa that inhibits the microorganisms from contacting the mucosa. Other related methods are also included.

It is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for reducing risk of infectious disease in a host from microorganisms encountered subsequent to application of a barrier-forming composition, the method comprising:
 administering by spraying or mouthwash delivery, a therapeutically effective amount of the barrier-forming composition to a mucosa of the host;   the composition comprising:   about 0.01%≤C≤about 0.4%;   7%≤H≤about 65%; and   0.050%<A;   wherein all percentages are by weight of the total composition;   wherein C is a carbohydrate gum; H is a humectant; and A is a cationic antimicrobial agents or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;   wherein the composition forms a barrier on the mucosa that is active to trap, and kill or neutralize microorganisms;   with the proviso that the method is not administered for prevention or treatment of dental disease.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pH of the composition is about 4 to about 7. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial, A, is present in an amount of 0.050%<A<0.1% by weight of the total composition. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a broad spectrum antimicrobial property that is effective to kill or neutralize fungal, bacterial, and viral microorganisms. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is in the form of a solution. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is free-flowing and clump free. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mucosa is an oral or pharyngeal mucosa. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is effective in 80% of humans to show a decrease of about 50% or greater of microbial load in the oral cavity on the sixth day of three times daily administering of the composition. 
     
     
         9 . A method for prevention of infectious disease in a host, the method comprising:
 administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition to a mucosa of the host;   the composition comprising:   about 0.01%≤C≤0.4%;   about 7%≤H≤about 65%; and   0.050%<A;   wherein all percentages are by weight of the total composition;   wherein C is a carbohydrate gum; H is a humectant; and A is an antimicrobial agent;   wherein the infectious disease is caused by an influenza virus.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the mucosa is an oral or pharyngeal mucosa. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the composition is effective in 80% of humans to show a decrease of about 50% or greater of microbial load in the oral cavity on the sixth day of three times daily administering of the composition. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the composition is effective to reduce a microbial load by 65% to 88% in the oral cavity after the administering step. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the composition has a broad spectrum antimicrobial property that is effective to kill or neutralize fungal, bacterial, and viral microorganisms. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is in the form of a solution. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is free-flowing and clump free. 
     
     
         16 . A barrier-forming composition for a surface treatment comprising:
 a carbohydrate gum, a humectant, and an antimicrobial agent;   wherein the barrier-forming composition meets the following requirements:   about 0.01%≤C≤0.4%;   about 7%≤H≤about 65%; and   0.050%<A;   wherein all percentages are by weight of the total composition;   wherein C is the carbohydrate gum; H is the humectant; and A is the antimicrobial agent; and   wherein the antimicrobial agent is a cationic antimicrobial agent or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;   the barrier-forming composition is active to trap, and neutralize or kill microorganisms;   wherein the barrier-forming composition has a viscosity of less than 500 cps;   wherein the pH of the barrier-forming composition is about 4 to about 7.   
     
     
         17 . The barrier-forming composition of  claim 16 , wherein the composition is in the form of a solution. 
     
     
         18 . The barrier-forming composition of  claim 16 , wherein the composition is free-flowing and clump free. 
     
     
         19 . The barrier-forming composition of  claim 16 , wherein the composition has a broad spectrum antimicrobial property that is effective to kill or neutralize fungal, bacterial, and viral microorganisms. 
     
     
         20 . The barrier-forming composition of  claim 16 , wherein the antimicrobial, A, is present in an amount of 0.050%<A<1% by weight of the total composition.