Prevalence of bacterial virulence factors directing mycotic aneurysm and its inhibition using silver nanoparticles

The study investigates the roles of bacterial virulence factors in the development of mycotic aneurysms and explores the potential of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a therapeutic intervention. Mycotic aneurysms are different from degenerative ones in that they result from bacterial infections, and eradication or control of their virulence factors is influenced by bacteria. An early diagnosis with prompt treatment is needed in order to save lives since this type of aneurysm carries a high mortality rate associated with it. Imaging techniques include computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography CT (PET CT) scans while laboratory methods used are blood cultures. AgNPs have broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, preventing biofilm formation. The UV-visible spectrophotometry; Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy(FTIR); X-ray Diffraction analysis(XRD); Scanning Electron Microscope(SEM) were employed for synthesized AgNPs by plant extract method using Annona reticulata leaf extract and characterizing them respectively. Characterization of samples confirms the presence of silver nanoparticles. The results of the present research show that exposure to green-synthesised silver nanoparticles causes a discernible decrease in a few bacterial virulence factors. Comparing treated cultures to untreated controls, semi-quantitative experiments showed a reduction in extracellular protease activity and adhesion-related phenotypes. Additionally, an MTT assay was used to assess protease-mediated cytotoxicity, and the results demonstrated a concentration-dependent decrease in fibroblast cell viability with a determined IC50 value. These results suggest that at sub-inhibitory doses, silver nanoparticles may reduce bacterial pathogenicity. Nevertheless, specific molecular research is still needed to clarify the mechanistic processes behind these effects, which were not explicitly examined.However, additional investigations are necessary to uncover their action mechanisms as well establish their safety profile/toxicity levels plus whether or not they can be used therapeutically against other diseases other than mycotic aneurysms before being considered for clinical trials.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-026-04835-7.