Targeting bacteria causing otitis media using nanosystems containing nonspherical gold nanoparticles and ceragenins.

Aim: To evaluate the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of ceragenin-conjugated nonspherical gold nanoparticles against the most common agents of otitis media.

Methods

Minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations and colony-counting assays, as well as colorimetric and fluorimetric methods, were used to estimate the antibacterial activity of compounds in phosphate-buffered saline and human cerumen. The nanosystems' biocompatibility and ability to decrease IL-8 release was tested using keratinocyte cells.

Results

The tested compounds demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity against planktonic and biofilm cultures at nontoxic doses due to the induction of oxidative stress followed by the damage of bacterial membranes.

Conclusion

This study indicates that ceragenin-conjugated nonspherical gold nanoparticles have potential as new treatment methods for eradicating biofilm-forming pathogens associated with otitis media.