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A Protein Microarray Assay for Serological Determination of Antigen-specific Antibody Responses Following Clostridium difficile Infection
Published on: June 15, 2018
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Gold Nanoclusters as an Antibacterial Alternative Against Clostridium difficile
Huan Yang1, Rui Cai1, Yangheng Zhang2
1Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Laboratory Diagnostics, School of Medical Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, People's Republic of China.
International Journal of Nanomedicine
|September 9, 2020
Summary
Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) show promise as a non-antibiotic treatment for Clostridium difficile infections. AuNCs effectively kill C. difficile by increasing ROS and damaging cell membranes, with minimal toxicity to human cells.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a major health concern, causing significant antibiotic-related diarrhea and pseudomembranous enteritis.
- High recurrence rates and antibiotic resistance in C. difficile necessitate novel therapeutic strategies.
- Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), due to their small size, offer potential for enhanced antibacterial interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) as an antibacterial agent against Clostridium difficile.
- To explore the potential of AuNCs as a non-antibiotic alternative for treating CDI.
Main Methods:
- Co-cultivation of AuNCs with C. difficile under anaerobic conditions.
- Assessment of bactericidal effects using varying AuNC concentrations (50 and 100 μM).
- Evaluation of cell membrane damage via SYTOX Green staining and SEM, and mechanism exploration through ROS detection and MTT assay for human cell toxicity.
Main Results:
- AuNCs (100 μM) demonstrated significant bactericidal activity against C. difficile.
- AuNCs treatment led to a five-fold increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) release.
- Cell membrane integrity of C. difficile was compromised, while human cells showed no significant toxicity.
Conclusions:
- Gold nanoclusters exhibit strong potential as an alternative to conventional antibiotics for combating C. difficile.
- AuNCs may offer a viable therapeutic option for managing Clostridium difficile infections.
