Is the Antibacterial Activity of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) Related to Antibiotic Resistance? An Assessment in Clinical Isolates

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance has spread globally, compromising the treatment of common infections. This feature is particularly harmful for nosocomial pathogens that can survive on hospital surfaces. Research studies have been conducted to evaluate new materials that are able to counteract the microbial growth and the colonization of the hospital environment. In this context, nanotechnologies have showed encouraging applications. We investigated the antibacterial activity of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), both pristine (p) and functionalized (f), at concentrations of 50 and 100 μg mL−1, against bacterial strains isolated from hospital-acquired infections, and this activity was correlated with the antibiotic susceptibility of the strains. The inhibiting effect of MWCNTs occurred for both types and doses tested. Moreover, f-MWCNTs exerted a greater inhibiting effect, with growth decreases greater than 10% at 24 h and 20% at 48 h compared to p-MWCNTs. Moreover, a lower inhibitory effect of MWCNTs, which was more lasting in Gram-positives resistant to cell wall antibiotics, or temporary in Gram-negatives resistant to nucleic acid and protein synthesis inhibitors, was observed, highlighting the strong relation between antibiotic resistance and MWCNT effect. In conclusion, an antimicrobial activity was observed especially for f-MWCNTs that could therefore be loaded with bioactive antimicrobial molecules. However, this potential application of CNTs presupposes the absence of toxicity and therefore total safety for patients.

Drug-Loaded Carbon Nanotube Incorporated in Nanofibers: A Multifunctional Nanocomposite for Smart Chronic Wound Healing

“…All of these types and concentrations of MWCNTs have been shown to suppress bacterial strains, but functionalized MWCNTs had a stronger inhibitory impact than pristine ones. 36 In addition to this, it was shown that the introduction of a low concentration of MWCNT (0.1%) into a poly(dimethylsiloxane) matrix could limit the adherence of E. coli by 20%. 36 There was a 60% decrease in the amount of E. coli that adhered to the poly(dimethylsiloxane) matrix as the concentration of MWCNT was raised to 1%.…”

“…36 In addition to this, it was shown that the introduction of a low concentration of MWCNT (0.1%) into a poly(dimethylsiloxane) matrix could limit the adherence of E. coli by 20%. 36 There was a 60% decrease in the amount of E. coli that adhered to the poly(dimethylsiloxane) matrix as the concentration of MWCNT was raised to 1%. 37 In another study, it was shown that Staphylococcus sp.…”

“…An investigation of the antibacterial activities of pristine and functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) at two concentrations of 50 and 100 μg mL –1 against different bacterial strains was conducted ( Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Escherichia coli , and Staphylococcus aureus ). All of these types and concentrations of MWCNTs have been shown to suppress bacterial strains, but functionalized MWCNTs had a stronger inhibitory impact than pristine ones . In addition to this, it was shown that the introduction of a low concentration of MWCNT (0.1%) into a poly­(dimethylsiloxane) matrix could limit the adherence of E. coli by 20% .…”

Recent Modifications of Carbon Nanotubes for Biomedical Applications

“…There are numerous reports in the literature reporting the successful applications of CNTs in biomedical fields such as in multidrug-resistant bacterial infections [25], drug delivery systems [12] anticancer materials [26], and biosensor [27]. In this article, an overview of different applications of CNTs such as antibacterial agents and bone-grafting/scaffolding in dentistry is discussed.…”

Facile Synthesis of chitosan-g-PVP/f-MWCNTs for application in Cu(II) ions removal and for bacterial growth inhibition in aqueous solutions

“…New materials that can withstand the microbiological growth of some pathogens in the hospital environment have recently been tested. Using both native and functionalized versions of MWCNTs at concentrations of 50 and 100 g/ ml, different dosages of MWCNTs on the inhibitory effect were determined [20]. MWCNTs have additional advantages and potential features for use as inorganic llers in polymeric substrate reinforcement [21].…”