Absorbent article, particularly a tampon having additives that reduce toxic shock syndrome toxin production

#This invention relates to an absorbent article, particularly a tampon having additives that reduce toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST-1) production.

#Efforts to inhibit the production of toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST-1) production are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,547,985 and 5,612, 045. However, certain additives, while reducing toxic shock syndrome toxin production, will negatively impact the wearer's vaginal flora. Therefore, a need exists to provide a tampon having additives that will reduce toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST-1) production without adversely affecting the normal vaginal flora or, if applied as a bandage, the normal flora at the relevant body site.

#This invention relates to an absorbent article, particularly a tampon having additives that reduce toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST-1) production without adversely affecting a woman wearer's vaginal flora.

#A composition of matter for adding to an absorbent article to reduce toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST-1) production without adversely impacting the normal vaginal flora (or if the absorbent article is not a tampon, the normal flora at the body sites where the absorbent article is applied) is prepared using 10 mM N-acetylcysteine as the oxygen inhibiting agent, and 0.2% Tween 20™ (polysorbate 20) as the surface active agent. The effective amounts of the oxygen inhibiting agent and the surface active agent are sufficient to reduce the toxin production at least about 50% in in vitro testing.

#Without wishing to be bound to any particular quantities, it is believed that effective concentrations of glycerol are between about 0.2% and about 0.6% per amount of body fluid present (e.g., in the tampon). Therefore, if 1 gram of body fluid is present, an effective amount is believed to be greater than or equal to about 0.002 grams of available glycerol. If 20 grams of body fluid are present, an effective amount is believed to be up to about 0.12 grams which would combine to yield a range of between about 0.002 grams and about 0.12 grams. Effective concentrations of Tween 20 are believed to be between about 0.1% and 0.2%. Effective concentrations of vitamin C are believed to between about 0.015% and about 0.25%. Effective concentrations of N-acetylcysteine are believed to be between about 5 mM up and about 10 mM per gram of absorbed fluid.

#Another embodiment of this invention is a tampon coated with 0.2% Tween 20 based on the expected maximum absorbency of the tampon. The free and available oxygen within the tampon is displaced by nitrogen gas and the tampon is then sealed in a thin metallic foil and placed within the tampon inserter, such that, upon insertion, the force on the inserter rod pushes the tampon out of the metallic wrapper and deposits it in the vagina.