Activity of Biodegradable Polymeric Nanosponges against Dual-Species Bacterial Biofilms
Ahmed Nabawy, Jessa Marie Makabenta, Cheng-Hsuan Li, Jungmi Park, Aritra Nath Chattopadhyay, Suzannah M. Schmidt-Malan, Akash Gupta, Robin Patel, Vincent M. Rotello
Abstract
Infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria present an emerging global health crisis, and the threat is intensified by the involvement of biofilms. Some biofilm infections involve more than one species; this can further challenge treatment using traditional antibiotics. Nanomaterials are being developed as alternative therapeutics to traditional antibiotics; here we report biodegradable polymer-stabilized oil-in-water nanosponges (BNS) and show their activity against dual-species bacterial biofilms. The described engineered nanosponges demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity through prevention of dual-species biofilm formation as well as eradication of preformed biofilms. The BNS showed no toxicity against mammalian cells. Together, these data highlight the therapeutic potential of this platform.