The Inhibitory Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on Bap Gene Expression in Antibiotic-Resistant Acientobacter bumanni Isolates using Real-Time PCR

Acinetobacter bomanni is one of the most common opportunistic pathogens in hospitals that are resistant to many antibiotics due to biofilm production. Nowadays, silver nanoparticles(AgNPs) have received wide attention in medicine due to their physical and chemical properties. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-biofilm activity of silver nanoparticles on antibiotic-resistant A. bumanni strains. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, A. bumanni was isolates from 100 clinical samples. After identification of A. bummani strains and determination of antibiotic resistant profiles, biofilm-producing isolates were determined using Congo red agar at 37°C after 24 hours. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the strains against AgNPs was determined. After 24 hours of exposure of the strains to sub-MIC concentration of AgNPs, RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were performed. Finally, Bap gene expression was measured using real time PCR method. Finding: Out of 100 clinical isolates, 12 belonged to A. bummani, and all the strains were resistant to antibiotics, except for colistin. Real-time PCR results show that all the strains had a significant down-regulation in Bap gene expression compared to the control gene (P<0.05). Discussion & Conclusions: According to the anti-biofilm effects of AgNPs, it seems that AgNPs can be used as drug candidates in pharmaceutical industries.