Antimicrobial composition containing Type II endoglycosidase and antimicrobial agent

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The invention provides antimicrobial methods utilizing Type II endoglycosidases such as endo-.
beta.
-N-acetylglucosaminidase ("Endo") H, D, F and/or PNGase F alone or in combination with a different component comprising one or more antimicrobial agents.
In one aspect of the invention, the antimicrobial methods provide for the killing of microorganisms or the inhibition of microbial growth.
In another aspect of the invention, such antimicrobial methods provide for enhanced removal of microorganisms attached to a surface and/or the prevention of microorganism attachment on surfaces.
The killing and/or inhibition method comprises contacting microorganisms with an antimicrobial-effective concentration of Type II endoglycosidase or a combination of Type II endoglycosidase and a different component comprising an antimicrobial agent.
The method for treating surfaces comprises contacting a surface having microorganisms attached thereto with an effective amount of Type II endoglycosidase, e.
g.
Endo-H, D, F and/or PNGase F and, simultaneously or immediately thereafter, with an effective amount of a different component comprising one or more antimicrobial agents.
Also provided are antimicrobial compositions comprising at least two different components.
The first component comprises a Type II endoglycosidase, e.
g.
Endo-H, D, F or PNGase.
The second component comprises an antimicrobial agent.
In one aspect of the invention, such antimicrobial compositions kill and/or inhibit growth of microorganisms.
In another aspect, they facilitate the removal of microorganisms attached to a surface or prevent microorganism attachment to surfaces.