Scholarlink

Purpose <p>The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli necessitates the development of effective antimicrobial strategies capable of overcoming antibiotic resistance and biofilm-associated infections. This study aims to evaluate the synergistic antibacterial and antibiofilm potential of a ZnO nanoparticle (ZnO NP)-bacteriophage synergistic combination using a lytic E. coli phage (BUCT823).</p> Methods <p>ZnO NPs were synthesized via a hydrothermal method and characterized using SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and surface area analysis. Antibacterial activity was assessed by determining minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Phage BUCT823 was evaluated for infectivity, environmental stability, burst size, and optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI). The synergistic effects of the ZnO NP-phage combination were analyzed using fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI), combination index, and Bliss independence models. Mechanistic investigations included reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and membrane integrity assays. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using MTT and LDH assays in HEK293 cells, while in vivo efficacy was assessed using a Galleria mellonella infection model.</p> Results <p>The synthesized ZnO NP exhibited rod-like morphology, high crystallinity, a surface area of 45.20 m²/g, and nanoscale size distribution. ZnO NPs demonstrated antibacterial activity with MIC and MBC values of 50 and 100 μg/mL, respectively. Phage BUCT823 showed strong infectivity, high environmental stability, and a burst size of approximately 145 PFU/cell, with an optimal MOI of 0.01. The combined treatment exhibited significantly enhanced antibacterial and antibiofilm activity compared to individual treatments, with FICI, combination index, and Bliss independence analyses confirming synergistic interactions. Mechanistic studies indicated increased ROS production and pronounced bacterial membrane disruption. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated minimal toxicity toward HEK293 cells, and in vivo studies revealed improved survival and reduced bacterial burden in treated groups.</p> Conclusion <p>The ZnO NP-phage combination exhibits synergistic antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against MDR Escherichia coli, with effective bacterial eradication, low cytotoxicity, and in vivo efficacy. This approach represents an effective alternative strategy for combating drug-resistant bacterial infections and biofilm-associated diseases.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Zinc oxide-bacteriophage synergistic combination for dual-mode antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月27日

查看全文
  • Rashid Ahmad,
  • Zakirullah,
  • Abdul Waris Haqmal,
  • Amna Shafqat,
  • Mengzhe Li,
  • Yigang Tong

摘要

Purpose

The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli necessitates the development of effective antimicrobial strategies capable of overcoming antibiotic resistance and biofilm-associated infections. This study aims to evaluate the synergistic antibacterial and antibiofilm potential of a ZnO nanoparticle (ZnO NP)-bacteriophage synergistic combination using a lytic E. coli phage (BUCT823).

Methods

ZnO NPs were synthesized via a hydrothermal method and characterized using SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and surface area analysis. Antibacterial activity was assessed by determining minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Phage BUCT823 was evaluated for infectivity, environmental stability, burst size, and optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI). The synergistic effects of the ZnO NP-phage combination were analyzed using fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI), combination index, and Bliss independence models. Mechanistic investigations included reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and membrane integrity assays. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using MTT and LDH assays in HEK293 cells, while in vivo efficacy was assessed using a Galleria mellonella infection model.

Results

The synthesized ZnO NP exhibited rod-like morphology, high crystallinity, a surface area of 45.20 m²/g, and nanoscale size distribution. ZnO NPs demonstrated antibacterial activity with MIC and MBC values of 50 and 100 μg/mL, respectively. Phage BUCT823 showed strong infectivity, high environmental stability, and a burst size of approximately 145 PFU/cell, with an optimal MOI of 0.01. The combined treatment exhibited significantly enhanced antibacterial and antibiofilm activity compared to individual treatments, with FICI, combination index, and Bliss independence analyses confirming synergistic interactions. Mechanistic studies indicated increased ROS production and pronounced bacterial membrane disruption. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated minimal toxicity toward HEK293 cells, and in vivo studies revealed improved survival and reduced bacterial burden in treated groups.

Conclusion

The ZnO NP-phage combination exhibits synergistic antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against MDR Escherichia coli, with effective bacterial eradication, low cytotoxicity, and in vivo efficacy. This approach represents an effective alternative strategy for combating drug-resistant bacterial infections and biofilm-associated diseases.