Combating antibiotic resistance in gram-negative bacteria through synergistic effect of silica nanoparticles and antibiotics.

Abstract

Objective: Multidrug-resistant and pan-drug-resistant pathogens pose major challenges in the management of infections. Nanotechnology-based combination therapy is becoming more common, as it produces a synergistic antimicrobial effect. Study Design: Cross Sectional Study. Setting: Institute of Biogenetic Engineering (IBGE) Islamabad. Period: September 2015 to October 2017. Material & Methods: Silica nanoparticles were prepared by three different modifications using general Stober Method and the synthesized silica nanoparticles SiNPs were named as S1, S2 and S3. The synergism of Ciprofloxacin and Piperacillin-Tazobactam with a combination of silica nanoparticles was evaluated in LB grown culture to determine the sensitivity of Escherichia coli and pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results: The combined application of Ciprofloxacin and S1, S2 and S3 respectively retarded the growth of P. aeruginosa almost completely whereas E. coli showed minimal growth inhibition. Collective therapy of Piperacillin-Tazobactam with S1, S2 and S3 inhibits the normal growth pattern of both E. coli, P. aeruginosa as compared to the control. Conclusion: Combined application of silica nanoparticles and antibiotics inhibited the growth of MDR gram-negative bacteria in vitro.