Amoeba therapeutic dressings, biomaterials, and solutions
Inventors
Baker, Justin J. • Gingras, Peter H.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11202806-B2
Publication Date
2021-12-21
Expiration Date
2037-10-18
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Abstract
A method of treating or preventing a microbial infection in a subject is described. The method includes contacting a microorganism within the subject with a composition comprising one or more species of amoebae of the genus Willaertia. Antibiotic wound dressings and kits for providing amoeba for treatment or prevention of microbial infection in a subject are also described.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method of treating or preventing a microbial infection in a subject by contacting a microorganism within the subject with a composition comprising one or more species of amoebae of the genus Willaertia. In particular, the method focuses on treating skin wounds, especially chronic wounds, with the amoebae administered topically. The amoebae, such as Willaertia magna, are capable of phagocytizing and digesting bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant and biofilm-enmeshed bacteria, thereby reducing microbial load and promoting wound healing. The invention also includes antibiotic wound dressings containing these amoebae and kits comprising amoebae for treating or preventing microbial infection.
The problem addressed by the invention arises from the growing issue of antibiotic or antimicrobial resistance, which limits effective treatment of bacterial infections, especially multidrug resistant bacteria. Chronic wounds are particularly susceptible to infection, including biofilm formation that resists typical antibiotics. Current antimicrobial wound dressings often utilize silver, which is cytotoxic. The invention aims to provide novel treatments that kill multidrug resistant bacteria without contributing to antibiotic resistance. The invention also addresses the need for treatments relevant to military personnel suffering from infections caused by multidrug resistant bacteria often acquired in hospital settings.
The invention further discloses a system including compositions with amoebae of the genus Willaertia incorporated into medical devices such as antibiotic wound dressings composed of a backing, a pharmaceutically acceptable support material (e.g., collagen), and the amoebae dispersed within the support material. The wound dressing can be an adhesive occlusive dressing that allows the amoebae in cyst form to rehydrate in moist wound environments, sprout, and actively seek and digest pathogenic bacteria. The invention also introduces wound treatment kits that include a therapeutically effective amount of Willaertia amoebae, packaging, wound dressing materials, and optionally collagen or therapeutic agents.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes one independent claim directed to a method of treating or preventing microbial infection by administering amoebae of the genus Willaertia, with several dependent claims specifying particular embodiments and additional features.
Method of treating or preventing microbial infection using amoebae of genus Willaertia
A method comprising contacting a microorganism within a subject with a composition that includes one or more species of amoebae of the genus Willaertia.
Use of amoebae in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier
Administering the Willaertia amoebae in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier suitable for treatment.
Treatment of skin wounds with amoebae administration
Administering amoebae to subjects having skin wounds, including chronic wounds, and optionally placing a wound dressing on the skin wound.
Use of Willaertia magna species of amoebae
Specifying that the species of amoebae used in the composition is Willaertia magna.
Treatment of bacterial infections including antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Using the amoebae composition to treat bacterial infections, particularly those resistant to antibiotics.
Administration of amoebae from wound dressing
Delivering the amoebae to the skin wound via the wound dressing.
Administration of amoebae in cyst form
Using amoebae in their cyst form within the composition for treatment.
Contacting wounds with collagen as part of treatment
Including collagen in the treatment by contacting the wound with collagen.
Co-administration of therapeutic agents with amoebae
Administering other therapeutic agents in combination with the amoebae to enhance treatment.
The claims cover a method of treating microbial infections using Willaertia genus amoebae compositions, especially Willaertia magna, applied to skin wounds or infections alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents and carriers such as collagen, optionally delivered via wound dressings with amoebae in cyst form.
Stated Advantages
Allows cost savings by reducing the requirement for systemic antibiotic administration.
Helps combat antibiotic resistant bacteria by decreasing the use of antibiotics, especially long-term use which contributes to resistance development.
The use of Willaertia amoebae offers a targeted biological approach that kills antibiotic-resistant and biofilm-protected bacteria without the cytotoxicity associated with silver-based dressings.
Amoebae-based treatment promotes wound healing by reducing harmful enzymes and attracting fibroblasts.
The amoebae act naturally by phagocytizing bacteria, preventing endotoxic shock that can result from antibiotic-induced bacterial lysis.
Documented Applications
Treatment or prevention of microbial infections, including skin wounds and chronic wounds.
Use in antibiotic wound dressings for acute surgical and traumatic wounds, burns, fistulas, venous and arterial ulcers, pressure sores, diabetic ulcers, and other chronic or necrotic wounds.
Military medicine for treating multidrug resistant bacterial infections in wounded soldiers.
Wound treatment kits comprising amoebae in pharmaceutically acceptable carriers for topical application.
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