ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of nanosilver particles in solution stabilized in a matrix of sodium alginate on the growth and development of pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Enterobacter cloacae, the antibiotic-resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the yeast-like fungus Candida albicans, and the luminescent bacteria Photobacterium leiognathi Sh1. METHODS: Isolates of pathogenic bacteria obtained from bronchoalveolar and peritoneal lavage samples from Wistar rats with experimental pneumonia and peritonitis were tested for their susceptibility to silver nanoparticles in solution with an alginate stabilizer. The antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles in sodium alginate was studied for C. albicans (strain CCM885) using the Sabouraud agar method. The biocidal impact of silver nanoparticles in solution with a sodium alginate matrix on the luminescent bacteria P. leiognathi Sh1 was investigated using a BLM 8801 luminometer. RESULTS: It was observed that a 0.02-0.05% nanosilver solution with an alginate stabilizer limits the growth and development of pathogenic bacteria within the first 24 hours of exposure. If the concentration of nanosilver solution is 0.0005-0.05%, it inhibits the viability of the fungus C. albicans. A nanosilver solution at a concentration of 0.05-0.2 µg/mL represses bioluminescence in the bacteria P. leiognathi Sh1. From these results, it appears that the biocidal effect of nanosilver is related either to the presence of ions that are formed during dissolution, or to the availability of nanoparticles that interrupt the membrane permeability of bacterial cells. CONCLUSION: Silver nanoparticles stabilized in a solution of sodium alginate possess significant in vitro antimicrobial activity, which is manifested by inhibition of the bioluminescence of P. leiognathi Sh1, and inhibition of the growth and development of the pathogenic bacteria S. aureus, E. faecalis, E. coli, P. vulgaris, E. cloacae, the antibiotic-resistant strain of P. aeruginosa, and the fungus C. albicans.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The application of an exogenous pulmonary surfactant as a carrier for intratracheally administered antimicrobials represents a promising therapeutic modality that is still on its way to clinical practice. Owing to its ability to decrease surface tension, exogenous surfactant may enhance delivery of antibiotics into foci of pulmonary infection, thus increasing efficiency and safety of topical antimicrobial therapy in bacterial lung diseases. OBJECTIVES: To assess potential interactions between exogenous surfactant and amikacin in vitro, and to study the effects of their joint intratracheal instillation in rats with acute pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. METHODS: The antibacterial and surface-active properties of amikacin (Amicil, Kievmedpreparat, Ukraine), porcine pulmonary surfactant (Suzacrin, Docpharm, Ukraine), and their combination were studied in vitro using standard microbiologic procedures and modified Pattle method (estimation of bubble diameter). Similar methods were utilized to study bacterial contamination of lungs and blood, and to assess the surface activity of bronchoalveolar wash (BAW) in 119 Wistar rats, including infected (intratracheal introduction of P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853) and noninfected animals. Histopathologic findings, differential leukocyte counts, and oxygenation parameters were recorded. RESULTS: Antibacterial and surface-active properties of the surfactant and amikacin remained unimpaired in vitro. In rats anti-pseudomonal and anti-inflammatory effects of the surfactant-amikacin mixture were more pronounced (p<0.05) than effects of pure amikacin as evidenced by recorded rates of bacterial growth and granulocytic response. The combined therapy considerably restricted tissue damage and mitigated reduction of BAW surface activity. CONCLUSION: The advantages of the joint surfactant-amikacin therapy of Pseudomonas-induced pneumonia may suggest further clinical trials.
