Effect of silver nanoparticles on vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in critically ill patients

Abstract

A prevalent increase in antimicrobial resistance represents a universal obstacle for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection, especially in critically ill patients. Silver nanoparticles are defined as broad spectrum bactericidal agents, which might be effective against vancomycin resistant S. aureus (VRSA). In this study, we examined the bactericidal efficacy of silver nanoparticles on VRSA in 150 blood and sputum samples isolated from intensive care patients. Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates were identified in 83 samples, with an incidence of 55.3%. Meanwhile, VRSA isolates were found in 11 and 8 isolates (a total of 19 isolates out of 150) from sputum and blood samples, with an incidence of 14.67% and 10.67%, respectively, with a total incidence of 12.67%. Vancomycin intermediate S. aureus (VISA) isolates had an inhibitory zone ranging from 9 to 13 mm, which was found in 13 out of 19 isolates, whereas VRSA isolates had an inhibitory zone ranging from 0 to 6 mm, which was detected in 6 out of 19 isolates. The findings of this study confirm that silver nanoparticles are an effective treatment against VRSA.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04431440.

Keywords: Nanoparticles; S. aureus; vancomycin resistance.

Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Figures

Figure 1.

The incidence of MRSA and VRSA isolates

Figure 2.

Antibiotic sensitivity of MRSA isolates

Figure 3.

Antibiotic disc sensitivity of S. aureus clarified VRSA

Figure 4.

UV analysis

Figure 5.

XRD pattern of the silver nanoparticles produced by heating temperature. (a) 80 c°, (b) 60 c°

Figure 6.

SEM images of nano-silver produced by TEA as stabilizing agent

Figure 7.

TEM image of Ag-NPs with spherical shapes

Figure 8.

Effect of silver nano-particles in different concentrations on VRSA