Abstract: The present invention provides methods of validating the sterility of compositions which contain large quantities of lipids, and especially those lipid compounds which contain quantities of bacteriocidal agents such as antibiotics. The compositions may contain quantities of phospholipids in the form of liposomes, microcrystals, or microdroplets. The methods involve dissolving the lipid composition in a diluent solution, passing the solution through a filtration device, and then incubating microbes which may be captured by the filtration device to determine whether microorganisms are present in the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating equines, such as horses, afflicted with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis or EPM. The therapeutic compositions comprise a combination of pyrimethamine and a sulfonamide, preferably, sulfadiazine, in the absence of known therapeutic amounts of trimethoprim.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of promoting the healing of cutaneous wounds and ulcers in vertebrates by administering a composition of a branched chain polymeric .alpha.-D-glucan to the wound or ulcer. In a preferred embodiment, the branched chain polymeric .alpha.-D-glucan may be hetastarch. The cutaneous wound or ulcer may be an open wound or ulcer, and may be chronic. The compositions are useful for treating these wounds in vertebrates. The vertebrate may be a mammal such as a human, a canine, or any mammal. The composition utilized in the methods of the present invention may contain hetastarch.