A 980 nm driven photothermal ablation of virulent and antibiotic resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains using Prussian blue nanoparticles

A 980 nm laser-driven antimicrobial photothermal therapy using poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-coated Prussian Blue nanoparticles (PVP/PB NPs) is demonstrated. This approach allows an efficient eradication of a virulent strain of Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) associated with urinary tract infection as well as for the ablation of antibiotic resistant pathogens such as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) E. coli. Interestingly the 980 nm irradiation exhibits minimal effect on mammalian cells up to a PVP/PB NPs concentration of 50 mu g mL(-1), while at this concentration bacteria are completely eradicated. This feature is certainly very promising for the selective targeting of bacteria over mammalian cells. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.