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Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activities of Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Surfaces In Vitro
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Vancomycin-loaded nanoparticles against vancomycin intermediate and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Alice Simon1, Marina Lucianeli Araujo Moreira1, Isabela Francisca de Jesus Borges Costa2
1Laboratório de Tecnologia Industrial Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, CCS, Lss20, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Nanotechnology
|May 30, 2020
Summary
Vancomycin-loaded nanoparticles show potential for treating multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. Non-bioconjugated nanoparticles demonstrated improved efficacy against MRSA strains compared to free vancomycin.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Bacterial infections, particularly those caused by multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, pose a significant global health threat.
- Vancomycin (VCM) is a primary antibiotic for treating S. aureus infections, but resistance is a growing concern.
- Polymeric nanoparticles (Np) offer a promising drug delivery system to enhance antibiotic efficacy and reduce toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare, characterize, and evaluate vancomycin-loaded nanoparticles (VNp) for combating S. aureus.
- To investigate the potential of holo-transferrin (h-Tf) conjugation for targeted drug delivery of VNp.
- To assess the in vitro antimicrobial activity of VNp against S. aureus strains.
Main Methods:
- VNp were synthesized using a double emulsion solvent evaporation method with PLGA and PVA or DMAB surfactants.
- Nanoparticles were characterized for size, Zeta potential, morphology (TEM), encapsulation yield, and protein conjugation efficiency.
- In vitro antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) strains.
Main Results:
- Spherical nanoparticles with a mean diameter below 300 nm and narrow size distribution were successfully prepared.
- Holo-transferrin bioconjugation did not significantly enhance the antimicrobial effect of the nanoparticles.
- Non-bioconjugated VNp exhibited a lower minimum inhibitory concentration than free vancomycin against MRSA and a slightly higher concentration against VISA.
Conclusions:
- Non-bioconjugated vancomycin-loaded nanoparticles show promise as an alternative therapeutic strategy against S. aureus infections.
- This nanoparticle formulation may help overcome challenges associated with conventional vancomycin therapy.
- Further research into VNp could lead to improved treatments for challenging bacterial infections.
