Key points from article :
One of the main drivers of antimicrobial resistance is the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial agents.
Silver nanoparticles demonstrate well-documented antimicrobial properties.
Researchers exposed E.coli to 20 consecutive days of silver nanoparticles and monitored bacterial growth.
"We found that bacteria could survive even at higher doses," - Lisa Stabryla, lead author.
"Some form of silver is getting into the cell, and the cell mutates to quickly pump it out," - Stabryla.
Only the hyper-motile strain of E.coli developed resistance.
"Silver nanoparticles may be a good option to target certain types of bacteria, particularly non-motile strains," - Stabryla.
Understanding the mechanisms and a mindful use of new antimicrobials will lessen the impact of antimicrobial resistance.
"Results are promising to tune particle properties for a desired response, such as high efficacy while avoiding resistance," - Leanne Gilbertson, Co-author.
Study by University of Pittsburgh published in Nature Nanotechnology.
