Antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of silver nanoparticles against the uropathogen Escherichia coli U12

The drug-resistant bacterial strains' emergence increases day by day. This may be a result of biofilm pres-ence, which protects bacteria from antimicrobial agents. Thus, new approaches must be used to control biofilm-related infections in healthcare settings. In such a study, biological silver nanoparticles were introduced in such a study as an anti-biofilm agent against multidrug-resistant E. coli U12 on urinary catheters. Seven different silver nanoparticles concentrations were tested for their antimicrobial activi-ties. Also, anti-biofilm activities against E. coli U12 were tested. Using the dilution method, the silver nanoparticles concentration of 85 lg/ml was the MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) that had excellent biocompatibility and showed significant antibacterial activity against E. coli U12. Scanning elec-tron microscopy (SEM) confirmed that the highest efficient dose of silver nanoparticles was 340 lg/ml at 144 h that reduced adhesion of E. coli U12 to the urinary catheter. E. coli U12 cells ruptured cell walls and cell membranes after being examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thus, biologically prepared silver nanoparticles could be used to coat medical devices since it is effective and promising to inhibit biofilm formation by impregnating urinary catheters with silver nanoparticles.(c) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Automated summary

The emergence of drug-resistant bacterial strains is increasing due to the presence of biofilms that protect bacteria from antimicrobial agents. This study introduced biological silver nanoparticles as an anti-biofilm agent against multidrug-resistant E. coli U12 on urinary catheters. The silver nanoparticles showed excellent biocompatibility and significant antibacterial activity against E. coli U12, reducing adhesion and causing cell rupture.