Acetic acid and hypochlorous acid compositions for treatment of biofilms and wound care

Abstract

Disinfecting compositions containing hypochlorous acid and acetic acid are useful for treating biofilms in or on tissue, including biofilms related to wounds or other skin trauma. The compositions are useful for treating a variety of types of tissue, both on the surface on beneath the surface of tissue. Compositions are provided having various concentrations for different tissue types and infection levels. Compositions may be provided in gel form, and may include nanoparticle encapsulated molecules for controlled release.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising acetic acid and hypochlorous acid, wherein the acetic acid concentration is greater than 0.1% and the hypochlorous acid concentration is between 10 ppm and 1000 ppm. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the acetic acid concentration is greater than about 0.5%. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the acetic acid concentration is greater than about 1.0%. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the acetic acid concentration is greater than about 2.0%. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the hypochlorous acid concentration is between 20 ppm and 200 ppm. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the acetic acid is present in a concentration sufficient to penetrate skin. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the hypochlorous acid is present in a concentration sufficient to treat biofilm on a surface of a wound. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is formulated in a gel, cream, ointment, or oil. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the acetic acid is encapsulated in a nanoparticle. 
     
     
         10 . A method for treating a biofilm in or on tissue, the method comprising applying to the tissue a composition comprising acetic acid in a concentration sufficient to penetrate skin and hypochlorous acid in an amount sufficient to remove biofilm on and beneath a surface of the tissue. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said acetic acid is present in an amount from about 0.1% to about 2.0% and said hypochlorous acid is present in a concentration from about 10 ppm to about 1000 ppm. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the tissue is bladder tissue, and wherein the hypochlorous acid concentration is about 80-250 ppm. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the tissue is lung tissue, and wherein the hypochlorous acid concentration is about 15-60 ppm. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the tissue is dental tissue, and wherein the hypochlorous acid concentration is about 5-60 ppm, and wherein the acetic acid concentration is between about 0.05% and about 5.0%. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the biofilm is formed at a wound site, and wherein the acetic acid concentration is between about 0.5% and about 5.0%. 
     
     
         16 . A method for treating biofilm in tissue, the method comprising applying a nanoparticle comprising acetic acid to a tissue site in which biofilm formation is suspected. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said nanoparticle is lipid soluble.