Antimicrobial Nanoparticles and MRSA

   by  EMSL "Zinc Oxide Particles"

A study done last year shows that certain nanoparticles can kill bacteria, even MRSA and other resistant strains. The nanoparticles are made with zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2). The researchers believe one of the ways these resistant species are so hard to control is their ability to form biofilms. Biofilms are large aggregates of bacteria that produce a matrix. The matrix protects some of the bacteria by not allowing antibiotics to come in to contact with the bacterial cells. The study focuses on the effectiveness of nanoparticles on the bacterial biofilms of MRSA.

Several isolates of MRSA that were shown to produce biofilms were cultured and allowed to aggregate. Commercially produced TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles were introduced and the effects were measured. The particles had much greater inhibitory effects than all the antibiotics tested with it. Even low doses were better than most antibiotics, and some doses even prevented biofilms from forming. The results show that nanoparticles can be valuable tools to combat resistant bacterial strains. Using the particles to coat medical devices where biofilms readily form, like catheters, may prevent the formation of biofilms. Other possibilities for drugs or use with antibiotics should be researched further.

Antimicrobial Activity of Zinc and Titanium Nanoparticles against Biofilm Producing MRSA