the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions in the form of relatively high molecular weight biocompatible polymers such as polyethylene glycol , optionally supplemented with a protective polymer such ad dextran and / or essential pathogen nutrients such as l - glutantine . also provided are methods for preventing or treating gut - derived sepsis attributable to intestinal pathogens such as pseudomonas aeruginosa by administering high molecular weight polyethylene glycol as well as methods for monitoring the administration of high molecular weight polyethylene glycol , such as in methods of preventing , ameliorating or treating microbe - induced epithelial disorders , as exemplified by gut - derived sepsis . frequently , gut - derived sepsis arises as a complication in mammals recovering from surgical intervention or suffering from a disease or disorder , providing indications of suitable animals to receive preventative treatment . finally , the invention provides a composition comprising infant formula and polyethylene glycol and methods for using that composition .