Inhibition of quorum-sensing-dependent virulence factors and biofilm formation of clinical and environmental <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> strains by ZnO nanoparticles

Abstract

Virulence inhibition by quorum quenchers in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is usually tested in laboratory strains and studies of their effects in relevant clinical and environmental strains are scarce. This study is significant as the effects of ZnO nanoparticles in QS-dependent virulence factor production were tested in six clinical strains from cystic fibrosis patients, a C-30 resistant clinical strain from urine, two PA14 gallium resistant mutants, a PA14 C-30 resistant mutant, and four environmental isolates. ZnO nanoparticles decreased elastase, pyocyanin, and biofilms for most of the strains; indicating they have broad spectrum and may be an alternative to treat Ps. aeruginosa infections.