Discrete nanoparticles induce loss of Legionella pneumophila biofilms from surfaces |
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| Authors: | Tara D. Raftery Petra Kerscher Ashley E. Hart Steven L. Saville Bin Qi Christopher L. Kitchens |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Environmental Toxicology (CU-ENTOX), Clemson University,509 Westinghouse Road, Pendleton, SC, USA;2. Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University,127 Earle Hall, Clemson, SC, USA;3. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Clemson University,161 Sirrine Hall, Clemson, SC, USA;4. Center for Optical Materials Science and Engineering Technologies (COMSET), Clemson University,91 Technology Dr, Anderson, SC, USA;5. Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University,127 Earle Hall, Clemson, SC, USA |
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| Abstract: | Nanoparticles (NPs) have been shown to induce dispersal events in microbial biofilms but the mechanism of the dispersal is unknown. Biofilms contaminate many man-made aquatic systems such as cooling towers, spas and dental lines. Within these biofilms, Legionella pneumophila is a primary pathogen, leading to these environments serving as sources for disease outbreaks. Here we show a reduction in biofilm bio-volume upon treatment with citrate-coated 6-nm platinum NPs, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated 11-nm gold NPs, and PEG-coated 8-nm iron oxide NPs. Treatment with citrate-coated 8-nm silver NPs, however, did not reduce biomass. The synthesis of NPs that remain dispersed and resist irreversible aggregation in the exposure media appears to be a key factor in the ability of NPs to induce biofilm dispersal. |
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| Keywords: | nanoparticles biofilms gold iron oxide dispersal |
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