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In vitro anti-Pythium insidiosum activity of biogenic silver nanoparticles
Júlia de Souza Silveira Valente1, Caroline Quintana Braga1, Carolina Litchina Brasil1
1Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
Abstract:
Pythium insidiosum belongs to the phylum Oomycota. It is capable of infecting mammals causing a serious condition called pythiosis, which affects mainly horses in Brazil and humans in Thailand. The objective of the present study was to verify the in vitro anti-P. insidiosum activity of a biogenic silver nanoparticle (bio-AgNP) formulation. The in vitro assays were evaluated on P. insidiosum isolates (n = 38) following the M38-A2 protocol. Damage to the P. insidiosum hyphae ultrastructure was verified by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Bio-AgNP inhibition concentrations on P. insidiosum isolates ranged from 0.06 to 0.47 μg/ml. It was observed through SEM that P. insidiosum hyphae treated showed surface roughness, as well as cell walls with multiple retraction areas, loss of continuity, and rupture in some areas. The TEM of treated hyphae did not differentiate organelle structures; also, the cellular wall was rarefied, showing wrinkled and partly ruptured borders. The bio-AgNP evaluated has excellent in vitro anti-P. insidiosum activity. However, further studies on its in vivo action are necessary as so to determine the possibility of its use in the treatment of the disease in affected hosts.
Insights
Biogenic silver nanoparticles (bio-AgNPs) show potent in vitro activity against Pythium insidiosum, the causative agent of pythiosis. Further in vivo studies are needed to explore their therapeutic potential for this serious mammalian infection.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Nanotechnology
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Pythium insidiosum, an oomycete, causes pythiosis, a severe infection in mammals.
- Pythiosis significantly impacts horses in Brazil and humans in Thailand.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vitro efficacy of a biogenic silver nanoparticle (bio-AgNP) formulation against Pythium insidiosum.
Main Methods:
- In vitro assays were performed on 38 Pythium insidiosum isolates using the M38-A2 protocol.
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to examine ultrastructural damage to hyphae.
Main Results:
- Bio-AgNPs demonstrated significant inhibitory activity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.06 to 0.47 μg/ml.
- SEM revealed surface roughness, cell wall retraction, and rupture in treated hyphae.
- TEM showed rarefied, wrinkled, and ruptured cell walls in treated hyphae, with obscured organelle structures.
Conclusions:
- The evaluated bio-AgNP formulation exhibits excellent in vitro anti-Pythium insidiosum activity.
- Further in vivo research is essential to ascertain the potential clinical application of bio-AgNPs in treating pythiosis.
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