Compositions and methods, including novel homogeneous microparticulate suspensions, are described for treating natural surfaces that contain bacterial biofilm, including unexpected synergy or enhancing effects between bismuth-thiol (BT) compounds and certain antibiotics, to provide formulations including antiseptic formulations. Previously unpredicted antibacterial properties and anti-biofilm properties of disclosed BT compounds and BT compound-plus-antibiotic combinations are also described, including preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating certain gram-positive bacterial infections, and distinct preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating certain gram-negative bacterial infections.

A liquid pharmaceutical suspension for oral administration containing a bismuth-containing pharmaceutical agent, a suspension system, and water. The suspension system can contain from about 0.001% to about 0.2% gellan gum and from about 0.001% to about 0.75% magnesium aluminum silicate.

A liquid pharmaceutical suspension for oral administration containing a bismuth-containing pharmaceutical agent, a suspension system, and water. The suspension system can contain from about 0.001% to about 0.2% gellan gum and from about 0.001% to about 0.75% magnesium aluminum silicate.

A liquid pharmaceutical suspension for oral administration containing a bismuth-containing pharmaceutical agent, a suspension system, and water. The suspension system can contain from about 0.001% to about 0.2% gellan gum and from about 0.001% to about 0.75% magnesium aluminum silicate.

A liquid pharmaceutical suspension for oral administration containing a bismuth-containing pharmaceutical agent, a suspension system, and water. The suspension system can contain from about 0.001% to about 0.2% gellan gum and from about 0.001% to about 0.75% magnesium aluminum silicate.

A method of producing a liquid pharmaceutical suspension by mixing magnesium aluminum silicate, gellan gum, bismuth subsalicylate, and methyl cellulose.

A method of producing a liquid pharmaceutical suspension by mixing magnesium aluminum silicate, gellan gum, bismuth subsalicylate, and methyl cellulose.

The present invention relates to the a bismuth-based composition, particularly involving the use of bismuth ions, particularly the Bi.sup.+3 ion, for prevention and/or treatment of the haemolytic uremic syndrome, with the invention also relating to the use of a bismuth ion in the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention and/or treatment of an infection caused by a Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli strain, as well as to a method for preventing and/or treating the haemolytic uremic syndrome comprising administering bismuth ions to a patient in need thereof, and a method for inhibiting dissemination of the gene encoding virulence factors of a Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli strain in animals and humans.

The present invention relates to the a bismuth-based composition, particularly involving the use of bismuth ions, particularly the Bi.sup.+3 ion, for prevention and/or treatment of the haemolytic uremic syndrome, with the invention also relating to the use of a bismuth ion in the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention and/or treatment of an infection caused by a Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli strain, as well as to a method for preventing and/or treating the haemolytic uremic syndrome comprising administering bismuth ions to a patient in need thereof, and a method for inhibiting dissemination of the gene encoding virulence factors of a Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli strain in animals and humans.

A swellable polymer based fiber and a method of preparing the same optionally comprising glycol, lecithin and optionally an antimicrobial metal species suitable, for example, for medical applications including wound dressings. A method of manufacture may comprise fiber extrusion or spinning involving one or a plurality of in-series coagulation baths to add single or multiple antimicrobial metal species to the as-formed fiber.