Effects of silver nanoparticles on multiple drug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus from periodontal infection: An alternative approach for antimicrobial therapy

Introduction and Aim: Most cases of periodontitis are associated with microorganisms. The Gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus is considered as one of the important organisms associated with periodontal infections. This study investigated the effect of silver nanoparticles as well as the antiseptic agent chlorhexidine on multi-drug resistant S. aureus isolated from periodontal infections.   Materials and Methods: In this study, with help from dentists, 266 clinical samples were collected from dental patients who had periodontal infection. S. aureus isolated from samples was tested for their antibiotic susceptibility profiles. Silver nanoparticles and chlorhexidine were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against these S. aureus isolates.   Results: S. aureus strains isolated from periodontal infection patients in this study were found to be multidrug resistant. AgNPs obtained using E. coli showed high inhibition of S. aureus growth when used in different concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20, 25mM). Chlorhexidine also exhibited antibacterial activity against S. aureus. Combination of AgNPs with penicillin and ciprofloxacin had an increasing significant effect on the sensitivity of S. aureus. Similarly, chlorhexidine in combination with penicillin and ciprofloxacin also showed an inhibitory effect on the growth of S. aureus.   Conclusion: AgNPs and chlorhexidine combined with antibiotics used in treatment of S. aureus isolated from periodontal disease showed a good antibacterial effect which suggests its use as an antibacterial agent against periodontitis associated bacteria.