AU2013206810B2

AU2013206810B2 - Antimicrobial composition

Info

Publication number: AU2013206810B2
Application number: AU2013206810A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Phillip G. Bowler; David Parsons; Steven L. Percival
Original assignee: Convatec Technologies Inc
Current assignee: Convatec Technologies Inc
Priority date: 2005-12-14
Filing date: 2013-07-11
Publication date: 2016-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-14
Also published as: AU2013206810A1

Abstract

Abstract An antiseptic composition suitable for use on skin and wounds comprising a source of an antimicrobial agent and an agent which disrupts biofilms.

Description

1 Antimicrobial Composition The present application is a divisional application from Australian patent Application No. 2006325408, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated 5 herein by reference. This invention relates to an antimicrobial composition which can be applied to skin, wounds, cuts, abrasions or burns for the prevention or treatment of infections. More particularly the invention relates to a composition capable of 10 providing effective antimicrobial activity while at the same time avoiding wound and skin irritation and retardation of wound healing. Overuse of antibiotics and the associated increase in bacterial resistance is impacting the efficacy of antibiotics in the treatment of wound infection. 15 Effective alternatives to antibiotics are thus desirable. Topical antimicrobial materials and preparations containing them have long been recognised as playing an important part in minimising the opportunity for skin and wound infections. Antiseptics are non-selective chemical agents that 20 can be safe to use on living tissue. Molecular iodine, ionic silver and oxidising agents such as sodium hypochlorite and chlorine dioxide have been recognised as antiseptic agents with effectiveness against a wide range of micro-organisms. There are however several barriers to making an effective antimicrobial composition for application to wounds based on such agents. One problem is 25 that these antiseptic agents tend to react with organic materials found in the wound other than the intended microbial targets. This means that to be effective, antiseptic agents need to be included in treatment compositions at high levels, which may cause undesirable side effects with prolonged use such as cell toxicity, hypersensitivity reactions, skin staining and systemic effects. 30 Such side effects are further described in "In vitro cytotoxity of silver: implication for clinical wound care". Poon VK Burd A. Burns. 2004 Mar;30(2): 140-7, "A review of iodine toxicity reports" . Pennington JA. J Am Diet Assoc. 1990 Nov; 90 (11): 1571-81 and "Topical antimicrobial toxicity".

2 Lineaweaver W, Howard R, SoucyD, McMorris S, Freenan J, Crain C, Robertson J, RumlT. Arch Surg. 1985 Mar;120(3):267-70. Wounds are often colonised by a variety of micro-organisms, some of 5 which may cause infection. It is increasingly recognised that microbial populations living within a biofilm environment contribute to delayed healing and infection. Biofilms are comprised of exopolymeric substances that are produced by bacteria once they attach to a surface, and this helps to protect micro-organisms from immune cells and antimicrobial agents. 10 Since efficacy of antimicrobial agents (e.g. antibiotics and antiseptics) is compromised by the biofilm matrix, strategies to disrupt the biofilm and expose micro-organisms within can be helpful in increasing the activity level of antimicrobial agents and thus reducing the concentration of such agents needed to make an effective composition. 15 Ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA) added as the di-sodium or calcium di-sodium salts has been used to treat topical infections or to treat hard surfaces such as catheters. W003/047341 describes the use of EDTA for example as an additive for a toothpaste. EDTA is also used as 20 a formulation agent to reduce the effects of water hardness and generally as a chelating agent. EDTA has been described in combination with other antibiotic agents for example in US 5998488 it is used in combination with an antimicrobial 25 preservative in a solution for ophthalmic use, Formulations suitable for topical use on wounds have not been proposed. There is thus a need for a composition which has the benefits of an antimicrobial agent but which reduces the potential of adverse reactions.

3 A reference herein to a patent document or other matter which is given as prior art is not to be taken as an admission or a suggestion that the document or matter was known or that the information it contains was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims. 5 Surprisingly we have found that EDTA is capable of disrupting biofilms by chelating the metal ions, calcium and magnesium, that maintain the integrity of the biofilm matrix. Where the terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprised" or "comprising" are used in this 10 specification (including the claims) they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components, but not precluding the presence of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or group thereto. Viewed from a first aspect, the present invention provides an antiseptic composition 15 suitable for use on skin and wounds comprising 0.01% to 10% by weight of a source of an antimicrobial agent comprising iodine, and 0.5% to 10% by weight of EDTA or its salts as an agent which disrupts biofilms, wherein the amount of iodine present in the composition is at a level of at least 50% less iodine than if EDTA were not present, such that the composition is able to reduce the bacterial bioburden present on the skin or 20 wound to a level manageable by the host within 24 hours. The presence of EDTA enhances the effect of the antiseptic so that the concentration of antiseptic agent may be reduced and yet still achieve effective antisepsis. By increasing the effectiveness of the antiseptic agent, its concentration in composition can be reduced 25 thereby reducing the potential for adverse reactions. This allows the preparation of compositions able to reduce the bacterial bioburden to a level manageable by the host within 24 hours using at least 50% less and ideally 65-85% less. This then allows the wound to progress towards healing and can be evidenced by a 30 visual improvement in the wound. We have also found that it is possible to prepare a composition which includes EDTA which is effective under the conditions of pH normally found in a wound. Viewed from 4 another aspect, the present invention provides a method of making an antiseptic composition as described herein suitable for use on wounds, the composition comprising di-, tri-, or tetra-basic salts of EDTA. The method comprises the steps of adding EDTA in aqueous solution and then adjusting the pH of the composition to pH 4 to 8. 5 Viewed from another aspect, the present invention provides use of an antiseptic composition in the manufacture of a medicament comprising a composition as described herein, for use in the treatment of chronic wounds and burns. 10 The compositions may comprise an antiseptic agent, preferably molecular iodine, ionic silver, chlorhexidine, or hydrochloric acid or an oxidising agent such as sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide or peroxy acid salts. The antimicrobial agent is included in the composition at a level of from 0.01% to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.1% to 5% by weight. Iodine is preferably included in the 15 composition at a level of from 0.01% to 10% by weight and more preferably from 0.1% to 1.0% by weight. Preferably the iodine source is an iodide and the composition further comprises an oxidant and a buffer, the oxidant being held separately from the iodide until the point of use. The buffer is preferably capable of maintaining the pH of the composition at between pH 4.5 and pH 6 so that iodine is generated at a psychologically 20 acceptable and efficacious rate. Compositions comprising iodide and an oxidant held separately from the iodide are described further in EP1158859B. Where iodide is present, the amount of oxidant in the composition is tailored to provide a stoichiometric match with iodide. Preferably the oxidant is iodate and is provided in a 25 molar ratio of from 1:4 to 1:10 with iodide. In this way the iodide where present in the composition fully reacts with the oxidant. Iodide and Iodate are preferably present as sodium salts although other usual counter ions may be present. Where the antiseptic agent is ionic silver it is preferably included in the composition at a 30 level of from 0.1% to 1.5%. The pH of the composition is generally below 8 and preferably between 4 and 8, more preferably between 4 and 6 and most preferably between 4.5 and 5.5. The desired pH 4a may be achieved by incorporating buffering agents in the composition. Examples of buffering agents which may be included are citric acid/di-sodium hydrogen phosphate, citric acid/sodium citrate, acetic acid/sodium acetate. The buffering agent may conveniently 4 Use of an antiseptic composition in the manufacture of a medicament comprising a composition as described is also disclosed, for use in the treatment of chronic wounds and burns. 5 The compositions may comprise an antiseptic agent, preferably molecular iodine, ionic silver, chlorhexidine, or hydrochloric acid or an oxidising agent such as sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide or peroxy acid salts. The antimicrobial agent is included in the composition at a level of from 0.01% to 10% by 10 weight, more preferably 0.1% to 5% by weight. Iodine is preferably included in the composition at a level of from 0.01% to 10% by weight and more preferably from 0.1% to 1.0% by weight. Preferably the iodine source is an iodide and the composition further comprises an oxidant and a buffer, the oxidant being held separately from the iodide until the point of use. The buffer is preferably capable of maintaining the pH of the 15 composition at between pH 4.5 and pH 6 so that iodine is generated at a psychologically acceptable and efficacious rate. Compositions comprising iodide and an oxidant held separately from the iodide are described further in EP1158859B. Where iodide is present, the amount of oxidant in the composition is tailored to provide 20 a stoichiometric match with iodide. Preferably the oxidant is iodate and is provided in a molar ratio of from 1:4 to 1:10 with iodide. In this way the iodide where present in the composition fully reacts with the oxidant. Iodide and Iodate are preferably present as sodium salts although other usual counter ions may be present. 25 Where the antiseptic agent is ionic silver it is preferably included in the composition at a level of from 0.1% to 1.5%. The pH of the composition is generally below 8 and preferably between 4 and 8, more preferably between 4 and 6 and most preferably between 4.5 and 5.5. The desired pH 30 may be achieved by incorporating buffering agents in the composition. Examples of buffering agents which may be included are citric acid/di-sodium hydrogen phosphate, citric acid/sodium citrate, acetic acid/sodium acetate. The buffering agent may conveniently 5 be present in an amount of about 1% to 20% by weight of the composition preferably about 4% to 6% by weight and particularly about 5% by weight so as to provide an isotonic composition 5 EDTA is preferably present as the di-, tri- or tetra-basic salts of EDTA. We have found that these salts are effective for eradicating microorganisms in the free floating or planktonic state and biofilm state alone or in the presence of an antiseptic agent. For example we have found that EDTA at concentrations of 0.1-40% weight by volume was 10 effective in killing a range of microorganisms both in the planktonic and biofilm state. Microorganisms that were effectively killed by EDTA included Pseudornonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, vancomycin resistant Enterococcus (VRE) and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). 15 EDTA is preferably present in the compositions of either aspect of the present invention at a level of 0.5% to 10% by weight of the composition, more preferably 1% to 3% by weight. 20 The compositions of the presem in mention may be in the form of a water based gel wich inaintains a moist wound healing environment and promotes healing A gel gives the advantage of flow into wound to fori an intimate contact 1with wound bed and provide antimicrobial effects to the -whole wound, Preferably the gel has a high enough 25 viscosity that itdoes not flow out of wounds on atas of the body that are or bOcomenonhorizontal. * Preferably the pH of the ge isubuffered At around 5.5 as this does not alter the pH balance of the per-wound tissue and therefore protectss it: 30 The following examples are illustrative of the present invention.

6 Example I Effect of EDTA on Iodine 5 Compositions containing iodine and EDTA were prepared by making a pair of aqueous gels which were intimately mixed at the point of use. Each gel was made by preparing an aqueous solution containing all of the appropriate water-soluble parts according to the formulations below and then adding a slurry of a non-ionic cellulosic viscosifier 10 (hydroxyethylcellulose) in propylene glycol. Gel A Component % w/w Water To 100 Propan-1,2-diol 10 Hydroxyethylcellulose 3.86 Sodium iodate 0.16 Citric acid 3.99 di-sodium phosphate 15.06 15 Gel B Component % w/w Water To 100 I Propan-1,2--diol 10 Hydroxyethylcellulose 4.14 Sodium iodide 0.59 Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 0.1-4.0 tetra-sodium salt tetrahydrate Phosphoric acid As necessary to adjust aqueous 7 phase to ph 5.5 A commercially available cadexomer iodine ointment was present as a positive control as it contains 0.9% iodine. Intrasite is an amorphous hydrogel and was present as a negative control as it contains 0% iodine. 5 Method 9 ml of simulated wound fluid was added to a 17 ml volume cell well. A I ml culture of Staphylococcus aureus was added to each well to give a final culture concentration of 106 efu/ml. Controls for this experiment 10 involved adding 2g of cadexomor iodine ointment (positive control) and nydrogel (negative control) separately to three cell wells each. Ig of gels A and B, with different concentrations of EDTA, were then added to separate cell wells (in triplicate). The cell wells containing the culture and gels were then shaken at 600 rpm at 351C. After time intervals of 4, 15 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours a 0.1 ml test sample was taken from each well and placed into 9.9 ml MRD (maximum recovery diluent) containing 1% sodium thiosulphate. A 1 ml sample was then transferred to Tryptone Soy Agar plates and incubated for 48 hours. Bacterial counts were then recorded. 20 Results Test composition 4 hours 24 hours 48 hours 72 hours 96 hours Iodosorb(positive 10 10 10 10 10 control) Intrasite(negative 7600000 310000000 530000000 1000000000 14000000 control) 0%12 0%EDTA 70000 310000000 530000000 1000000000 1400000 confirm data? L___________ _________ -______ __________ ~ __ ____ _ -____________----------___ 8 0.3%1 2 0%EDTA 1240000 1000000 1000000 10000000 100000000 0.3%I 2 0%EDTA 1010000 1000000 1000000 10000000 100000000 0.3%1 2 0%EDTA 1670000 1000000 1000000 10000000 100000000 FDA 1500000 1000000 1000000 1000000 1000000 0.3%I 92000 10 10 10 10 0. 5%EDTA 0.3%I 58000 10 10 10 10 0.5%EDTA Test composition 4 hours 24 hours 48 hours 72 hours 96 hours 0.3%1 2 1%EDTA 8100 10 10 10 10 0.3%I1%EDTA 130000 10 10 10 10 0.3%I 2 1%EDTA 110000 10 10 10 10 0.3%12 710 10 10 10 10 1 .75%EDTA 0,3%12 4400 10 110 10 10 1.75%EDTA 0.3%1 31000 10 10 10 10 1.75%EDTA 0.3%I2 8500 10 10 10 0 2.5%EDTA 0.3012 10600 10 10 10 0 2.5%EDTA 0.3%I2 6200 16000 10 10 10 2.5OEDTA 9 __________ -i----- 0. 3%1 2 4%EDTA 93000 10 10 10 10 0.3%1 2 4%EDTA 8500 10 10 10 10 0.3%,4%EDTA 1400 10 10 10 These results are shown graphically in Figure 1. These results show by adding as little as 0.5% EDTA (calculated as the 5 di-sodium salt) to iodine the efficacy of iodine, at 0.3%, is enhanced when compared to the control of 0.3%1o iodine with no EDTA. Clearly from the results EDTA enhances the effects of iodine within 24 hours to the same efficacy of 0.9% iodine (positive control). 10 Example 2 Zones of inhibition with tetra sodium EDTA Seven antibiotic resistant microorganisms were used to evaluate the 15 efficacy of EDTA in killing bacteria and yeasts grown on agar. For this experiment filter paper discs were soaked in EDTA at concentrations ranging from 0.1-40%. EDTA was made up by dissolving it in an appropriate amount of sterile double distilled water. The filters were then added onto Muller Hinton agar which had been inoculated with a 20 microorganism under study for 24 hours at 351C. All microorganisms were tested twice.

10 Zones of Inhibition (mm) 50 45 --------------------- ------ 40 40% EDTA 35 - E 30 ------------ 10% EDTA E 25 20 ---- - - 5% EDTA 15 - -%E 10 - - 0.1% EDTA S- - resistant organism These results show that the "zones of inhibition" ranged from 20 to 43mm (including disc 13mm). Zones were higher with increasing levels 5 of EDTA indicating that EDTA alone is an effective antiseptic agent. Example 3 Zones of inhibition with EDTA 10 Poloxamer F127 hydrogels (Univar, Basildon, Essex, UK) are di-block co-polymers of polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene that demonstrate thermo-reversible gelation properties. At temperatures below 15*C, poloxamer is liquid and fully miscible with water but changes to a firm 15 gel at temperatures in excess of 154C. Poloxamer encourages bacteria to exhibit a more clinically relevant biofilm phenotype. Gilbert et al determined that P. aeruginosa cells grown on poloxamer hydrogel (biofilm form) express outer membrane proteins between 78 and 87 kDa, which are not evident in cells grown on standard nutrient agar 20 ('planktonic') (Gilbert et al., 1998). Consequently poloxamer gel cultures 11 mimic many of the properties of biofilm-grown P. aeruginosa (Gilbert et al., 1998). This indicates that there is a phenotypic difference between P. aeruginosa cells grown on poloxamer hydrogel and nutrient agar, with only poloxamer grown cells resembling biofilm cells. It was found from 5 Wirtanen's study (1998) that bacteria which are grown in poloxamer have biofilm properties and associated enhanced biocide resistance. Gilbert and colleagues suggested that bacteria grown in poloxamer hydrogels could be exposed to biocides to provide a reproducible method for testing the antimicrobial efficacy of biocides against biofilm bacteria (Gilbert et al., 10 1998). Gilbert P, Jones MV, Allison DG, Heys S, Maira T, Wood P. The use of poloxamer hydrogels for the assessment of biofilm susceptibility towards biocide treatments. Journal of Applied Microbiology 1998;85:985-990. 15 Wirtanen G, Salo S, Allison DG, Mattila-Sandholm T, Gilbert P. Performance evaluation of disinfectant formulations using poloxamer hydrogel biofilm-constructs. Journal of Applied Microbiology 1998; 85:965-971. 20 Seven antibiotic resistant microorganisms were used to evaluate the efficacy of EDTA in killing bacteria and yeasts grown on poloxamer gel (biofilm state). For this experiment filter paper discs were soaked in EDTA at concentrations ranging from 0.1-40%. In this present study poloxamer F127, a di-block copolymer of polyoxyethylene and 25 polyoxypropylene, was used as a medium on which bacteria could be grown as a biofilm phenotype and express the characteristics more appropriate to the 'real world'. The filters were then added onto Muller Hinton agar which had been inoculated with the microorganism under study for 24 hours at 35 0 C. All plates were done in duplicate. 30 12 zones of inhibition, with and without 30% poloxamer 5 0. ....-------- 40 - 40% EDTA E o 40% EDTA (pol) 20 - - 1 10% EDTA 10 - Li 10% EDTA (pol) o 5% EDTA 0 0 W Ei 5% EDTA (pol) CLw 0.1 % EDTA a .% UDTA (pol, resistant micro organism ---- 0 These results show that the zones of inhibition were slightly smaller in the presence of poloxamer indicating that bacteria/yeasts growing as 5 biofilms are physically more resistant to EDTA when compared to their planktonic couterparts. C kruzei and Ps aeruginosa were the exception with larger zones with poloxamer. Zones of inhibition were evident on all organisms tested at 40% EDTA. At 10% and 5% EDTA there were no zones with Serratia marcescens. At 0.1% EDTA no zones of inhibition 10 were evident with any organism studied indicating that EDTA is not effective at this level. Example 4 15 Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC's) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBC's) with Tetra, Tri and Di basic salts of EDTA Method: A microtitre plate and optical density readings and visual inspection were performed to obtain the MIC's for a variety of 20 microorganisms (see Figure 2). Concentrations of EDTA included in this study were 4 0mg/ml pH 10.00 as tetra-Na, 40mg/ml as tri-Na pH 6.84, 40 mg/ml as di-Na pH 5.50. Into each microtitre plate, 100 pl of 13 inoculum and EDTA was added. The plate was then incubated for 24 hours at 35*C ± 3C. Following incubation all microtitre plates were inspected visually for growth. 5 The results are presented in Figure 2. In general all MIC's recorded were equivalent for all the salts of EDTA studied. This suggests that the pH of both solutions is equivalent. Therefore, the activity of EDTA is not affected by the salt form added to 10 the microtitre plate. These results show that low concentrations of EDTA are very effective on bacteria.

14 Ex pe 5 The effect of EDTA on the antimicrobial efficacy of silver containing wound dressings 5 The antimicrobial dressings used in this study were Acticoat" (Smith and Nephew) and AQUACEL* Ag Hydrofiber' (ConvaTec). Acticoat" is a nanocrystalline silver antimicrobial barrier dressing which consists of a rayon/polyester non-woven inner core laminated between two layers of 10 silver-coated high density polyethylene mesh (HDPE). The layers are held together with ultrasound welds. AQUACEL' Ag is comprised of sodium carboxymethyleellulose Hydrofiber* and ionic silver. The silver cations in AQUACEL" Ag are associated with the individual highly absorbent anionic carboxymethylcellulose fibres of the Hydrofiber* dressing. 15 AQUACEL* Hydrofiber* dressing (without silver) was also used as a control. Method: All dressings (AQUACEL Hydrofiber [control - without silver], AQUACEL Ag Hydrofiber and Acticoat (nanocrystalline dressing) were 20 hydrated with 20 mg/ml of tetra-Na EDTA. All tests were performed against Ps aeruginosa and tested on Mueller Hinton agar (MHA) and Poloxamer gel (incorporating Mueller Hinton broth (MHB). This involved inoculating either a MiH agar plate or poloxamer gel plate with a specific isolate and then adding an appropriate hydrated (to saturation point) 25 wound dressing (360 01 (MRD) for AQUACEL and AQUACEL Ag and 15001 (sterile distilled water- as per manufacturers instructions) for Acticoat). The plates were then incubated at 35"C ±3C for 24 hours after which the zone of clearance (no growth) around the dressing was measured. Zones of inhibition were measured horizontally and vertically 30 (inclusive of the dressing sample) and a mean value was calculated from the duplicate set of results. The mean dressing size was then subtracted 15 from the mean zone of inhibition to determine the corrected zone of inhibition (CZOI). A CZOI test allows for any inherent variability in the shape and size of zones created by the silver dressings which may change in dimension following hydration. Table to show the size of corrected zone of inhibition (CZOI) in mm on MH agar and poloxamer gel MHA Poloxamer gel with MHB Hydrating (Non-biofilm bacteria) (biofilm bacteria) Fluid AQUACEL AQUACEL Acticoat AQUACEL AQUACEL Acticoat Ag Ag EDTA 0 16 1.0 6 6 7 MRD 0 18 N/A 0 3 N/A Water N/A N/A N/A3 10 Conclusion: When EDTA was added to AQUACEL no zones of inhibition were observed on MHA (non-biofilm state). However, ZOIs were observed around AQUACEL Ag on MHA (non-biofilm bacteria) when EDTA or (maximal recovery diluent) MRD was added indicating the antimicrobial activity of silver. Larger ZOI's were observed around 15 Acticoat following the addition of EDTA when compared to hydration with water. In the presence of poloxamer gel an increase in the CZOI was observed following hydration of AQUACEL Ag with MRD when compared to EDTA indicating an additive effect with the use of EDTA. Overall the results showed that EDTA enhances the effects of ionic silver 20 on bacteria grown in the biofilm state (poloxamer gel). Overall these results suggest that by using an EDTA dressing it is effective against both planktonic and biofilm microorganisms because AQUACEL alone is not effective when the microorganisms are in the planktonic state. 25 16 Table to show the size of corrected zone of inhibition in mm on MH agar and poloxamer gel MHA Poloxarer gel with MHB Hydrating (non-biofilm bacteria) (biofilm bacteria) fluid Aquacel Aquacel Nanocrystalline Aquacel Aquacel Nanocrystalline Ag silver dressing Ag silver dressing EDTA 0 15.99 9.57 6.28 5.96 6.73 MRD 0 18.04 N/A 0 42 N/A after /A N/A 6.74 N/.A N/A 2.82 5 Example 6 Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) for a two component gel comrn g iodine and a two component el as detailed in Example I 10 containing EDTA (diNa EDTA, triNa EDTA and tetraNa EDTA) This experiment shows the effect of pH on the activity of a range of EDTA forms. 15 For this experiment a two component gel as detailed in Example I was made without the HEC component (gel). This experiment was therefore performed using only liquid compositions in order for MIC's to be calculated. The pH of the TCG/EDTA solutions was approx 5.5. The organisms tested included: Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas 20 aeruginosa, Escherichia coli (repeated twice) and C albicans.

17 TCG Solution (A) Component %w/w Water To 100 Sodium iodate 0.1 Citric acid 3.99 di-sodium phosphate 15.06 TCG Solution (B) Component % w/w Water To 100 Sodium iodide 0.4 Eth lenediaminetetraacetic acid As shown in Table 1 tetra-sodium salt tetrahydrate Phosphoric acid As necessary to adjust aqueousj phase to pH 5.5 5 MIC's for TCG solution and TCG solution combined with EDTA (values in brackets are EDTA concentrations in mg/ml) Bacterium TCG TCG EDTA TCG & tri Na TCG& tetra Na solution* EDTA EDTA S aureus 0.25 (0) 0.008 (0.31) 0.008(0.31) 0.008 (0.31) Ps aeruginosa 0.5 (0) 0.062 (2.5) 0.062 (2,5) 0.062 (2.5) E coli 0.25 (0) 0.031 (1.25) 0.031 (1.25) 0.031 (1,25) 10 * (working concentration was 0.2% iodine) 18 Conclusion MIC's were reduced considerably in the presence of EDTA (di, tri and tetra Na). It can be seen that the MICs, expressed as Iodine concentration, are lower in the presence of di, tri and tetra sodium 5 EDTA. The antimicrobial benefit of having EDTA present is achieved at concentrations of 0.31 mg/ml. Despite different forms of EDTA being known to provide differential antimicrobial efficacy, at a constant pH (5.5 10 in this case) all EDTA forms were equally effective in significantly reducing the MIC's for all three organisms compared to be iodine generating solution without EDTA.

Claims

1. An antiseptic composition suitable for use on skin and wounds comprising 0.01% to 10% by weight of a source of an antimicrobial agent comprising iodine, and 0.5% to 5 10% by weight of EDTA or its salts as an agent which disrupts biofilms, wherein the amount of iodine present in the composition is at a level of at least 50% less iodine than if EDTA were not present, such that the composition is able to reduce the bacterial bioburden present on the skin or wound to a level manageable by the host within 24 hours. 10

2. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition has a pH of between 4 and 8.

3. A composition as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the composition has a pH 15 of between 4.5 and 5.5.

4. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in the form of a gel.

5. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the 20 composition comprises an iodine source, an oxidant and a buffer, wherein the iodine is held separately from the oxidant until the point of use.

6. A composition as claimed in claim 5, wherein the composition is capable of generating from 5 micrograms of iodine per gram of composition per hour to 1500 25 micrograms of iodine per gram of composition per hour.

7. A method of making an antiseptic composition according to any one of the preceding claims suitable for use on wounds, the composition comprising di-, tri-, or tetra- basic salts of EDTA, the method comprising the steps of adding EDTA in aqueous 30 solution and then adjusting the pH of the composition to pH 4 to 8.

8. Use of an antiseptic composition in the manufacture of a medicament comprising a composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, for use in the treatment of chronic wounds and burns.