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.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Biofilms/drug effects , Legionella pneumophila/drug effects , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Analysis of Variance , Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry , Colony Count, Microbial , Gold/chemistry , Gold/pharmacology , Magnetite Nanoparticles/chemistryABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To establish and compare the prevalence of group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization in the vaginas of nonobstetric women with and without vaginitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis GBS vaginal culture status of nonpregnant, estrogen-replete women 18 years or older presenting for annual gynecological examinations or vaginal infection. Subjects were classified into 3 groups: no vaginitis if symptoms were absent and examination results was normal; common vaginitis (CV) if microscopic examination revealed yeast, bacterial vaginosis, or trichomonads; or inflammatory vaginitis (IV) if examination revealed inflammation and immature squamous cells but no pathogens. RESULTS: Of the 215 women recruited, 147 (68.4%) showed no evidence of vaginitis, 41 (19.1%) had CV, and 27 (12.6%) showed evidence of IV. The overall prevalence rate of GBS was 22.8%. Vaginitis was associated with a significantly increased risk of GBS colonization (adjusted odds ratio: CV = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.1-6.2; IV = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.1-8.0). Logistic regression revealed pH higher than 4.5, presence of abnormal discharge on examination, and a women's complaint of current symptoms as significant predicators of the presence of GBS. CONCLUSIONS: Group B streptococcus colonization occurs more commonly in women with vaginitis. This suggests that disruption of the normal vaginal bacterial environment is an important predictor for GBS colonization.