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.

KEYWORDS:

• Nanoparticles
• vancomycin resistance
• S. aureus

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the Chemistry Department, Science College, Assiut university and the Electron Microscopy Unit of Assiut University, Egypt.

Clinical trial registration

NCT04431440.

Data availability statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

Ethical approval obtained from our IRB approval number

13700424.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

There is no funding to report.