Bacterial resistance to silver nanoparticles and how to overcome it

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles have already been successfully applied in various biomedical and antimicrobial technologies and products used in everyday life. Although bacterial resistance to antibiotics has been extensively discussed in the literature, the possible development of resistance to silver nanoparticles has not been fully explored. We report that the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli 013, Pseudomonas aeruginosa CCM 3955 and E. coli CCM 3954 can develop resistance to silver nanoparticles after repeated exposure. The resistance stems from the production of the adhesive flagellum protein flagellin, which triggers the aggregation of the nanoparticles. This resistance evolves without any genetic changes; only phenotypic change is needed to reduce the nanoparticles' colloidal stability and thus eliminate their antibacterial activity. The resistance mechanism cannot be overcome by additional stabilization of silver nanoparticles using surfactants or polymers. It is, however, strongly suppressed by inhibiting flagellin production with pomegranate rind extract.

Highly Effective and Noninvasive Near‐Infrared Eradication of a Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm on Implants by a Photoresponsive Coating within 20 Min

“…[9,10] Considering this concern, great efforts have been made in recent years to develop antimicrobial implant surfaces that rely on the modification of physicochemical properties to interfere with the microbial colonization process. [14] Therefore, it is urgent to develop innovative and creative solutions to eliminate alreadyformed biofilms safely without producing bacterial resistance within a short period of time. ), or resisting bacterial adhesion through electrostatic repulsion and super-hydrophobicity of surface components.…”

Nanostructured Antimicrobials in Food Packaging—Recent Advances

“…Moreover, although such strategies might be helpful to decrease AgNP migration into food, they would do little or nothing to reduce environmental effects of discarded AgNPs . Another important issue with AgNP that should be considered is resistance developed by G(−) bacteria upon repeated long‐term exposure to AgNP, which results from production of flagellin, a protein that promotes AgNP aggregation . On the other hand, the study demonstrated that pomegranate rind extract, which inhibits flagellin production, could suppress bacterial resistance to AgNPs, allowing the repeated long‐term antimicrobial action of such antimicrobial agent.…”

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“…This resistance stems from the production of the adhesive flagellum protein flagellin, which triggers the aggregation of NPs and thereby eliminating the antibacterial effect on gram negative bacteria. (Panacek et al, ). These findings clarify a mechanism that can drive bacterial resistance to antibacterial agents.…”