The effect of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Biofilm Formation and Virulence Genes Expression

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p><jats:bold>Background:</jats:bold> Due to increased resistance to antimicrobial agents, infectious disease remains a public health problem worldwide. <jats:bold>Aim:</jats:bold> The current study was designed to examine the effect of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO –np) against the biofilm formation ability of <jats:italic>P.aeruginosa </jats:italic>clinical isolates and to study its effect on the expression level of the genes involved in biofilm formation and virulence factors production. <jats:bold>Methodology:</jats:bold> The MIC of ZnO –np against <jats:italic>P. aeruginosa</jats:italic> was determined by the broth microdilution method. The Effect of ZnO –np on the biofilm-forming isolates of <jats:italic>P. aeruginosa </jats:italic>was monitored by the microtiter plate method.<jats:italic> P.aeruginosa</jats:italic> isolates were tested for the expression of different biofilm and virulence genes using real-time rt-PCR. <jats:bold>Results</jats:bold>: ZnO –np significantly downregulated the expression level of all biofilm and virulence genes of <jats:italic>P.aeruginosa </jats:italic>clinical isolates except the <jats:italic>toxA </jats:italic>gene. <jats:bold>Conclusions:</jats:bold> This study demonstrates the promising use of ZnO –np as an anti-biofilm and anti-virulence compound.</jats:p>