Antimicrobial activities encountered by sulfur nanoparticles combating Staphylococcal species harboring scc<i>mec</i>A recovered from acne vulgaris

Abstract

&lt;abstract&gt; &lt;p&gt;Over decades, sulfur has been employed for treatment of many dermatological diseases, several skin and soft tissue, and &lt;italic&gt;Staphylococcus&lt;/italic&gt; infections. Because of its abuse, resistant bacterial strains have emerged. Nanotechnology has presented a new horizon to overcome abundant problems including drug resistance. Nano-sized sulfur has proven to retain bactericidal activity. Consequently, the specific aims of this study are exclusively directed to produce various sulfur nanoparticles formulations with control of particle size and morphology and investigate the antibacterial activity response specifically classified by the category of responses of different formulations, for the treatment of acne vulgaris resistant to conventional antibiotics. In this study, we produced uncoated sulfur nanoparticles (SNPs), sulfur nano-composite with chitosan (CS-SNPs), and sulfur nanoparticles coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG-SNPs) and evaluate their bactericidal impact against &lt;italic&gt;Staphylococcus aureus&lt;/italic&gt; and &lt;italic&gt;Staphylococcus epidermidis&lt;/italic&gt; isolated from 173 patients clinically diagnosed acne vulgaris. Accompanied with molecular investigations of &lt;italic&gt;erm&lt;/italic&gt;B and &lt;italic&gt;mec&lt;/italic&gt;A resistance genes distribution among the isolates. Sulfur nanoparticles were synthesized using acid precipitation method and were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersed x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Moreover, agar diffusion and broth micro-dilution methods were applied to determine their antibacterial activity and their minimum inhibitory concentration. PCR analysis for virulence factors detection. Results: TEM analysis showed particle size of SNPs (11.7 nm), PEG-SNPs (27 nm) and CS-SNPs (33 nm). Significant antibacterial activity from nanoparticles formulations in 100% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with inhibition zone 30 mm and MIC at 5.5 µg/mL. Furthermore, the prevalence of &lt;italic&gt;mecA&lt;/italic&gt; gene was the most abundant among the isolates while &lt;italic&gt;ermB&lt;/italic&gt; gene was infrequent. Conclusions: sulfur nanoparticles preparations are an effective treatment for most &lt;italic&gt;Staphylococcus&lt;/italic&gt; bacteria causing acne vulgaris harboring multi-drug resistance virulence factors.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/abstract&gt;

Inclusion of dietary nontoxic sulfur on growth performance, immune response, sulfur amino acid content and meat characteristics in growing-finishing pigs

“…In the late finishing period, the IgG concentration linearly increased because inorganic sulfur supplied in the feed was activated to combine with organic compounds in the animal body and then could provide a bioavailable sulfur source [ 25 ], and more sulfur-containing amino acids then accumulated in the body, which could indirectly enhance the immunity of growing-finishing pigs and improve the anti-inflammatory symptoms [ 26 ]. However, some reports have shown that NTS has antibacterial functions in vivo and in vitro [ 4 , 27 ], but it is not certain that dietary NTS could directly affect the production and secretion of immunoglobulin in swine. Therefore, the addition of NTS as a new additive to animal feed requires more research to explore the relationship between the immune system and the action of NTS.…”

“…However, some reports have shown that nontoxic sulfur has antibacterial functions in vivo and in vitro [4,27], but it is not certain that dietary nontoxic sulfur could directly affect the production and secretion of immunoglobulin in swine. Therefore, the addition of nontoxic sulfur as a new additive to animal feed requires more research to explore the relationship between the immune system and the action of nontoxic sulfur.…”

Acne treatment review and future perspectives

“…28 Recently, sulfur nanoparticle preparations have demonstrated effectiveness against Staphylococcus bacteria. 29 Staphylococcus bacteria can affect acne pathogenesis by introducing drug resistance virulence factors. 30…”

“…Sulfur interacts with cysteine in keratinocyte to produce hydrogen sulfide that can rupture disulfide bonds, causing a keratolytic effect 28 . Recently, sulfur nanoparticle preparations have demonstrated effectiveness against Staphylococcus bacteria 29 . Staphylococcus bacteria can affect acne pathogenesis by introducing drug resistance virulence factors 30…”

Antimicrobial agents and microbial ecology

“…In this context, environmental biofilms and their associated virome serve as reservoirs for antimicrobial resistance [10] . The development of nanoparticles with antibacterial activity is one of the solutions for combating bacteria that are multi-resistant to antibiotics [11] .…”