Sole Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide nanoparticles antimicrobial activity versus their association with different antibiotics on Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Background: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major health issue and it is linked to high rates of morbidity and mortality. MRSA is a multidrug resistant organism therefore, several new antimicrobial agents against MRSA are urgently needed such as those based on nanoparticles (NPs). Objectives: Detection of the antimicrobial activity of ZnO and TiO2 NPS on MRSA if used alone then evaluating their effect when combined with different types of antibiotics. Methodology: This study was carried out on 150 pus samples collected from patients with infected wounds in different wards of Benha University hospitals. Identification of MRSA isolates was performed by chromogenic media and cefoxitin disc diffusion test. The antibacterial activity of ZnO and TiO2 NPs and the effect of their combination with antibiotics were tested by measuring their inhibition zones on MRSA isolates. The effect of NPs on MRSA isolates was traced by using electron microscope. Results: The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) among samples in the present study was 61(40.6%) and the percentage of MRSA among S. aureus isolates was 60.7%. This study detected a significant antibacterial activity of ZnO and TiO2 on MRSA isolates. There was a significant increase in the mean diameters of the inhibition zones of tested antibiotics on MRSA isolates when they were conjugated with ZnO and TiO2 NPs. Conclusion: ZnO and TiO2 NPs have a significant antibacterial activity on MRSA isolates. Our results support marked synergy between NPs (ZnO and TiO2) and antibiotics when both combined against MRSA isolates.