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Study of antimicrobial effects of vancomycin loaded PLGA nanoparticles against enterococcus clinical isolates

F Lotfipour1, S Abdollahi2, M Jelvehgari2

  • 1Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Drug Research
|December 6, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Antimicrobial vancomycin (VCM) nanoparticles showed reduced effectiveness against Enterococcus bacteria compared to VCM solution. This suggests challenges in nanoparticle drug delivery for treating resistant infections.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Materials Science
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Nanoparticle (NP) formulations enhance antimicrobial agent activity.
  • Vancomycin (VCM) is a glycopeptide antibiotic effective against Gram-positive bacteria but poorly absorbed intestinally.
  • Enterococcus species are increasingly resistant to antibiotics and cause severe hospital-acquired infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To prepare vancomycin-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs).
  • To compare the antimicrobial efficacy of VCM-loaded PLGA NPs with VCM solution against clinical Enterococcus isolates.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of VCM-loaded PLGA NPs against vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus.

Main Methods:

  • VCM-loaded PLGA NPs were fabricated using the W1/O/W2 solvent evaporation method.
  • Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assays were performed to compare antimicrobial activity.
  • Antimicrobial effects were tested against both vancomycin-susceptible and vancomycin-resistant clinical Enterococcus isolates.

Main Results:

  • VCM-loaded PLGA NPs exhibited a significantly reduced antimicrobial effect compared to VCM solution.
  • The efficacy of VCM-loaded NPs against vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus was lower than against susceptible isolates.
  • Reduced in vitro antimicrobial activity may be due to slow VCM release from PLGA NPs caused by electrostatic interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Vancomycin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles demonstrate diminished antimicrobial activity in vitro.
  • The formulation may not be optimal for treating Enterococcus infections, particularly resistant strains.
  • Further research is needed to optimize NP formulations for improved antibiotic delivery and efficacy.

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