Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

Microphage Incorporated

Richard Proctor

Rae Ellen Syverson

Jonathan Drew Smith

Breanna Leigh Dreiling

Breanna Christine Smith

Tiffany Steinmark

Jon C Rees

Maria Izzo

Duane Bush

Bernard Sportmann

A method of determining the presence or absence of a target microorganism in a sample to be tested, the method comprising: combining with the sample an amount of bacteriophage capable of attaching to the target microorganism to create a bacteriophage exposed sample, and a substance which enhances bacteriophage amplification or sensitivity; providing conditions to the bacteriophage-exposed sample sufficient to allow the bacteriophage to infect the microorganism; and assaying the bacteriophage-exposed sample to detect the presence or absence of a bacteriophage marker to determine the presence or absence of the target microorganism.

Method of detection of microorganisms with enhanced bacteriophage amplification

Absorbent articles, such as catamenial tampons, are disclosed. The absorbent articles include an effective amount of an isoprenoid inhibitory compound to substantially inhibit the production of exotoxins by Gram positive bacteria. The isoprenoid inhibitory compounds of the present invention include terpenes and terpenoids which substantially reduce the production of exotoxins by Gram positive bacteria.

Inhibition of exoprotein production in absorbent articles using isoprenoids

Non-absorbent articles containing an additive are disclosed. The non-absorbent articles include an effective amount of an inhibitory compound such as cerulenin, triclosan, or hexachloroprene, for example, to substantially inhibit the production of TSST-1 by Gram positive bacteria.

Non-absorbent tampon containing additives inhibiting TSST-1

Absorbent articles containing an additive are disclosed. The absorbent articles include an effective amount of an inhibitory compound, such as thiolactomycin or thiomalonate, to substantially inhibit the production of TSST-1 by Gram positive bacteria.

Absorbent articles containing additives

Non-absorbent articles, such as tampon applicators, containing an additive are disclosed. The non-absorbent articles include an effective amount of an inhibitory compound, such as thiolactomycin or thiomalonate, for example, to substantially inhibit the production of TSST-1 or exoprotein by Gram positive bacteria.

Non-absorbent articles containing additives

Methods and compositions for inhibiting the production of exotoxins are disclosed. The compositions include an effective amount of an isoprenoid inhibitory compound to substantially inhibit the production of exotoxins by Gram positive bacteria.

Inhibition of exoprotein production using isoprenoid compositions

Non-absorbent articles are disclosed. The non-absorbent articles include an effective amount of an aromatic inhibitory compound to substantially inhibit the production of exotoxins by Gram positive bacteria. The aromatic inhibitory compounds of the present invention have the general formula: wherein Ris selected from the group consisting of H, and NHand salts thereof; Ris a monovalent saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl moiety; Ris a divalent saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl moiety; Ris a trivalent saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl moiety; Ris a monovalent substituted or unsubstituted saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl moiety which may or may not be interrupted with hetero atoms; R, R, and Rare independently selected from the group consisting of H, OH, COOH, and &#x2014;C(O)R; Ris hydrogen or a monovalent saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl moiety.

Aromatic compositions as inhibitors of exoprotein production in non-absorbent articles

Effective amounts of the inhibitory compounds described herein capable of significantly reducing the production of TSST-1 are as follows: (1) compounds of Structure (I): from about 0.0001 micromoles/gram absorbent product to about 0.08 micromoles/gram absorbent product, desirably from about 0.0005 micromoles/gram of absorbent product to about 0.05 micromoles/gram of absorbent product; and (2) compounds of Structures (II) and (III): from about 0.05 micromoles/gram of absorbent product to 5 micromoles/gram of absorbent product, desirably from about 0.1 micromoles/gram of absorbent product to about 1 micromole/gram of absorbent product. Specifically, effective amounts of hexachlorophene include from about 0.00024 micromoles/gram of absorbent product to about 0.08 micromoles/gram of absorbent product, desirably from about 0.001 micromoles/gram of absorbent product to about 0.05 micromoles/gram of absorbent product. Specifically, effective amounts of triclosan include from about 0.0005 micromoles/gram of absorbent product to about 0.03 micromoles/gram of absorbent product. Specifically, effective amounts of cerulenin include from about 0.1 micromoles/gram of absorbent product to about 1 micromole/gram of absorbent product.

Compositions including an aromatic compound for inhibiting the production of exoproteins by Gram positive bacteria are disclosed. The aromatic inhibitory compounds of the present invention have the general formula:wherein Ris selected from the group consisting of H,&#x2014;OR, &#x2014;RC(O)H, &#x2014;ROH, &#x2014;RCOOH, &#x2014;OROH, &#x2014;ORCOOH, &#x2014;C(O)NH,and NHand salts thereof; Ris a monovalent saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl moiety; Ris a divalent saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl moiety; Ris a trivalent saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl moiety; Ris a monovalent substituted or unsubstituted saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl moiety which may or may not be interrupted with hetero atoms; R, R, and Rare independently selected from the group consisting of H, OH, COOH, and &#x2014;C(O)R; Ris hydrogen or a monovalent saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl moiety.

Aromatic compositions for the inhibition of exoprotein production from gram positive bacteria

Non-absorbent articles are disclosed. The non-absorbent articles include an effective amount of an aromatic inhibitory compound to substantially inhibit the production of exotoxins by Gram positive bacteria. The aromatic inhibitory compounds of the present invention have the general formula:wherein Ris selected from the group consisting of H,

Inhibition of exoprotein production in non-absorbent articles uisng aromatic compositions

Methods for the inhibition of exoprotein production from Gram positive bacteria

The present invention relates to inhibiting the production of TSST-1 using absorbent products and non-absorbent products comprising an additive, as well as methods for inhibiting such production. The absorbent and non-absorbent products or articles include an effective amount of an inhibitory compound, such as thiolactomycin or thiomalonate to substantially inhibit the production of TSST-1 or exoprotein by Gram positive bacteria.

Methods for inhibiting the production of TSST-1

Non-absorbent articles are disclosed. The non-absorbent articles include an effective amount of an isoprenoid inhibitory compound such as a terpene to substantially inhibit the production of exotoxins by Gram positive bacteria.

Inhibition of exoprotein production in non-absorbent articles using isoprenoid compositions

Compositions for inhibiting the production of exotoxins are disclosed. The compositions include an effective amount of an isoprenoid inhibitory compound to substantially inhibit the production of exotoxins by Gram positive bacteria.

Growing community of inventors

Madison, WI, United States of America

Richard Proctor