Bacteriophage-encoded enzymes for the treatment and prevention of dental caries and periodontal diseases
AssigneeUniversity of MD
InventorAllan L. Delisle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for the treatment and prevention of dental caries and periodontal diseases using bacteriophages and phage-encoded anti-bacterial enzymes to inhibit establishment of bacteria in the oral cavity is provided. Also provided are methods for studying the cell wall of an oral bacterium, a method for preventing spoilage of perishable items and a method for removing dextrans from surfaces utilized in sugar manufacture. Purified enzymes and the isolated DNA fragments encoding them are also provided.
Claims6
A method for the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of bacterial dental caries and bacterial periodontal diseases, wherein the method comprises delivering to a mouth, gums and teeth at least one composition comprising:
- (i) an effective amount of at least one lytic enzyme genetically coded for by a specific bacteriophage specific for a specific bacteria causing said bacterial dental caries or bacterial periodontal disease, wherein said at least one said lytic enzyme is specific for and has the ability to digest a cell wall of one of said specific bacteria and is coded for by the same said bacteriophage capbale of infecting said bacteria being digested;
- and
- (ii) a carrier for delivering said at least one said lytic enzyme to the mouth, the gums, and the teeth, said carrier selected from the group consisting of a mouth wash, mouth rinse, topical gel, topical ointment, toothpaste, tooth powder, slow release implant, slow release coating or chewing gum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.