Abstract
University of Central Florida researchers have developed new methods for using puupehenone compounds to possibly treat illnesses caused by Clostridium bacterial strains, such as C. difficile. Puupehenone is a marine natural product excreted by some species of sponges and coral as a defense mechanism. The UCF invention may also be effective against antibiotic-resistant strains of Clostridium.
Already resistant to multiple kinds of antibiotics, C. difficile kills 30,000-40,000 people a year in the United States. The pathogen inflames the colon, causing life-threatening diarrhea. Infections typically occur after antibiotic use and affect mostly elderly patients, those at long-term care facilities and hospitals and people with weakened immune systems.
Technical Details
The invention focuses on puupehenone's antimicrobial properties and methods for using concentrations of puupehenone-based compounds to kill, reduce or inhibit the cell growth of Clostridium bacterial strains, such as C. difficile, C. perfingens, C. tetani and C. botulinum. It includes methods for administering a therapeutically effective amount of a puupehenone compound (or a derivative) to those with a Clostridium infection or who are at risk of developing a Clostridium infection.
Benefit
Can be used to develop novel drugs to treat or prevent one or more symptoms of C. difficile infections and other Clostridium infectionsMay alleviate the problem of drug resistanceMarket Application
Drugs for treating the vegetative as well as the spore form of any Clostridium infection.
Brochure
