The role of silver nanoparticles alone and combined with imipenem on carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae

Abstract

Abstract Aims Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) infections poses a significant threat to human health, necessitating urgent development of new antimicrobial agents. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which are among the most widely used engineered nanomaterials, have been extensively studied. However, the impact of AgNPs on CRKP and the potential for drug resistance development remain inadequately explored. Methods and results In this study, broth dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the broth dilution method. Results indicated MIC values of 93.1 ± 193.3 µg ml−1 for AgNPs, 2.3 ± 5.1 µg ml−1 for AgNO3, and 25.1 ± 48.3 µg ml−1 for imipenem (IMI). The combined inhibitory effect of AgNPs and IMI on CRKP was assessed using the checkerboard method. Moreover, after 6–20 generations of continuous culture, the MIC value of AgNPs increased 2-fold. Compared to IMI, resistance of Kl. pneumoniae to AgNPs developed more slowly, with a higher fold increase in MIC observed after 20 generations. Whole-genome sequencing revealed four nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphism mutations in CRKP after 20 generations of AgNP treatment. Conclusion We have demonstrated that AgNPs significantly inhibit CRKP isolates and enhance the antibacterial activity of imipenem against Kl. pneumoniae. Although the development of AgNP resistance is gradual, continued efforts are necessary for monitoring and studying the mechanisms of AgNP resistance.