Use of Heavy Metals in the Treatment of Biofilms

• Main Authors: TURNER RAYMOND JOSEPH, HARRISON JOE JONATHAN, CERI HOWARD
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 22.05.2008
• Subjects: AGRICULTURE; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES, AS HERBICIDES; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, ORSURGICAL ARTICLES; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION, OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; FISHING; FORESTRY; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HUNTING; HYGIENE; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, OR SURGICALARTICLES; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS INGENERAL; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS; PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTSTHEREOF; TRAPPING

The present invention is directed to a method of treating biofilms by exposure to heavy metals selected from the group comprising metal cations such as manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, aluminum, silver, mercury, lead, cadmium and tin; metal oxyanions such as molybdate, tungstate and chromate; and metalloid oxyanions, alone or in combination with antimicrobials. The present invention also includes compositions and methods for preparing or treating medical devices and medications.