Enhanced effect of Amikacin in conjugation with gold nanopartcles as a carrier to kill Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant cause of nosocomial infections. Infection caused by this organism is difficult to treat due to the presence of its innate resistance to many antibiotics. Conjugation of antimicrobial drugs with nanoparticles has emerged as an innovative and promising alternative that enhances therapeutic effectiveness. The current study focuses on the use of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) as a carrier to enhance the antibacterial effect of amikacin against P. aeruginosa. Amikacin was conjugated with GNPs. The success of conjugation was studied by UV/Vis and FTIR spectroscopies. The labeling efficiency was measured by HPLC and atomic absorption spectrometer analyses. The antibacterial activity of amikacin-GNPs conjugate was investigated by disc diffusion and liquid broth dilution methods. The labeling efficiency showed that 450 amikacin molecules were attached to each GNP. The zone of growth inhibition of amikacin-GNPs complex and amikacin by disc diffusion method were 37± 0.118 and 35± 0.149 mm. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the conjugate and amikacin alone were determined 23.43 and 46.87, mg/ml, respectively. Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the conjugate and amikacin alone were determined 46.87 and 93.75 mg/ml, respectively. The results showed the enhanced antibacterial effect of amikacin-GNPs complex in comparison with amikacin alone against P. aeruginosa.