A Novel Approach for Combating Klebsiella pneumoniae Biofilm Using Histidine Functionalized Silver Nanoparticles
Sanjay Chhibber1, Vijay S Gondil1, Samrita Sharma1
1Department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences, Panjab UniversityChandigarh, India.
Abstract:
Treating pathogens is becoming challenging because of multidrug resistance and availability of limited alternative therapies which has further confounded this problem. The situation becomes more alarming when multidrug resistant pathogens form a 3D structure known as biofilm. Biofilms are formed in most of the infections especially in chronic infections where it is difficult to eradicate them by conventional antibiotic therapy. Chemically synthesized nanoparticles are known to have antibiofilm activity but in the present study, an attempt was made to use amino acid functionalized silver nanoparticles alone and in combination with gentamicin to eradicate Klebsiella pneumoniae biofilm. Amino acid functionalized silver nanoparticles were not only able to disrupt biofilm in vitro but also led to the lowering of gentamicin dose when used in combination. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the application of amino acid functionalized silver nanoparticles in the eradication of young and old K. pneumoniae biofilm.
Insights
Amino acid-functionalized silver nanoparticles effectively disrupt *Klebsiella pneumoniae* biofilms. Combining these nanoparticles with gentamicin lowers the required antibiotic dose, offering a novel strategy against resistant infections.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanomedicine
- Microbiology
Background:
- Multidrug resistance in pathogens presents a significant therapeutic challenge.
- Pathogenic biofilms, particularly those formed by *Klebsiella pneumoniae*, are notoriously difficult to eradicate with conventional antibiotics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antibiofilm efficacy of amino acid-functionalized silver nanoparticles against *Klebsiella pneumoniae*.
- To evaluate the synergistic effect of these nanoparticles in combination with gentamicin for biofilm eradication.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of amino acid-functionalized silver nanoparticles.
- In vitro assessment of antibiofilm activity of nanoparticles alone and in combination with gentamicin against *Klebsiella pneumoniae* biofilms of varying ages.
Main Results:
- Amino acid-functionalized silver nanoparticles demonstrated significant in vitro antibiofilm activity.
- The combination therapy significantly reduced the effective dose of gentamicin required for biofilm eradication.
- This approach proved effective against both young and established *K. pneumoniae* biofilms.
Conclusions:
- Amino acid-functionalized silver nanoparticles are a promising agent for disrupting *Klebsiella pneumoniae* biofilms.
- Combination therapy with gentamicin offers a potential strategy to overcome antibiotic resistance and reduce antibiotic usage.
- This study pioneers the use of amino acid-functionalized silver nanoparticles for eradicating both young and old *K. pneumoniae* biofilms.
