Coupling of radiofrequency with magnetic nanoparticles treatment as an alternative physical antibacterial strategy against multiple drug resistant bacteria

Abstract

Antibiotic resistant bacteria not only affect human health and but also threatens the safety in hospitals and among communities. However, the emergence of drug resistant bacteria is inevitable due to evolutionary selection as a consequence of indiscriminate antibiotic usage. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a novel strategy by which pathogenic bacteria can be eliminated without triggering resistance. We propose a novel magnetic nanoparticle-based physical treatment against pathogenic bacteria, which blocks biofilm formation and kills bacteria. In this approach, multiple drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 and uropathogenic Escherichia coli CFT073 are trapped to the positively charged magnetic core-shell nanoparticles (MCSNPs) by electrostatic interaction. All the trapped bacteria can be completely killed within 30 min owing to the loss of membrane potential and dysfunction of membrane-associated complexes when exposed to the radiofrequency current. These results indicate that MCSNP-based physical treatment can be an alternative antibacterial strategy without leading to antibiotic resistance, and can be used for many purposes including environmental and therapeutic applications.

Nanomaterials as Promising Alternative in the Infection Treatment

“…All the trapped bacteria could be completely killed within 30 minutes when exposed to a radiofrequency current owing to the loss of membrane potential and dysfunction of membrane-associated complexes. This physical treatment kills pathogenic bacteria and blocks biofilm formation without leading to antibiotic resistance [109]. Another research work used IONPs loaded with nisin, a known bacteriocin, which is commonly inefficient against Gram-negative bacteria.…”

Nanomagnetite-embedded PLGA Spheres for Multipurpose Medical Applications

“…Moreover, Fe 3 O 4 with core dimensions of 10–20 nm have superparamagnetic behavior. Magnetically-responsive biomaterials embedded with Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles have been assessed as multifunctional systems for specific, selective, and performance-enhanced anti-infective [43,44] and anti-cancer applications [45,46], as well as for regenerative medicine [47,48]. In particular, Fe 3 O 4 -based nanostructured systems are promising platforms for successful controlled and targeted drug delivery applications by means of magnetic hyperthermia [41,49,50].…”

Shape-dependent antibacterial effects of non-cytotoxic gold nanoparticles

“…30,31 Other physical anti-bacterial methods have recently been shown, based on disrupting the bacterial membrane utilizing magnetic NPs in combination with radiofrequency current or bimetallic NPs, to induce a loss of bacterial membrane potential. 32,33 These strategies, belonging to the emerging field of nanomedicine, show the possibility of ridding humanity of some of its biggest bacterial threats and could help save the lives of millions.…”