Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Formation Using Silver Nanoparticles

Background and aim Nanotechnology explores the unique properties of nanoparticles, which are very dissimilar from their bulk forms. Silver (Ag) has been exhibited to have antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties; since ancient times, silver has been used for its therapeutic qualities. Currently, medical research is investigating the activity and potential uses of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Pseudomonas aeruginosa is frequently seen in nosocomial settings because of its capacity to form biofilms on medical devices, implants, and instruments, which increases the risk of infection in hospitalized patients. When P. aeruginosa forms biofilms, it becomes more resistant to antimicrobials and can persist on medical equipment. Biofilms contribute to drug resistance and can drive the progression from acute to chronic diseases. Novel approaches can be aimed at a co-treatment strategy that mixes a drug that disrupts biofilms with conventional antibiotics, and this may make the biofilms more susceptible to treatment. In the present investigation, we study the antibiofilm effect of AgNPs against the biofilm production of P . aeruginosa. Materials and methods The study included 196 P . aeruginosa isolates from specimens at Krishna Hospital & Medical Research Center, Karad. Identification (ID) and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) were done by using the VITEK 2 compact system (BioMérieux, France). Biofilm production and antibiofilm assays were evaluated using the tissue culture plate (TCP) method. Results Biofilm production was observed in 171 (87.24%) of isolates, with 25 (12.76%) being non-biofilm producers. Among biofilm producers, 91 (46.43%) were weak, 58 (29.59%) moderate, and 22 (11.22%) strong. At 400 µg/mL of AgNP concentration, 68 (85%) of isolates showed 60%-90% inhibition. Conclusions P . aeruginosa is a significant hospital-associated pathogen, as indicated by its isolation rate of 16.15%, emphasizing its clinical importance. Notably, 87% of isolates were biofilm producers. Nanotechnology, particularly AgNPs, presents promising solutions for combating biofilms, offering versatile and effective approaches for healthcare and industrial applications.