Static magnetic field increases the sensitivity of Salmonella to gentamicin

The effects of rotating magnetic field and antiseptic on in vitro pathogenic biofilm and its milieu

The application of various magnetic fields for boosting the efficacy of different antimicrobial molecules or in the character of a self-reliant antimicrobial agent is considered a promising approach to eradicating bacterial biofilm-related infections. The purpose of this study was to analyze the phenomenon of increased activity of octenidine dihydrochloride-based antiseptic (OCT) against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms in the presence of the rotating magnetic field (RMF) of two frequencies, 5 and 50 Hz, in the in vitro model consisting of stacked agar discs, placed in increasing distance from the source of the antiseptic solution. The biofilm-forming cells' viability and morphology as well as biofilm matrix structure and composition were analyzed. Also, octenidine dihydrochloride permeability through biofilm and porous agar obstacles was determined for the RMF-exposed versus unexposed settings. The exposure to RMF or OCT apart did not lead to biofilm destruction, contrary to the setting in which these two agents were used together. The performed analyses revealed the effect of RMF not only on biofilms (weakening of cell wall/membranes, disturbed morphology of cells, altered biofilm matrix porosity, and composition) but also on its milieu (altered penetrability of octenidine dihydrochloride through biofilm/agar obstacles). Our results suggest that the combination of RMF and OCT can be particularly promising in eradicating biofilms located in such areas as wound pockets, where physical obstacles limit antiseptic activity.

Rotating Magnetic Field Increases β-Lactam Antibiotic Susceptibility of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains

Methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have developed resistance to most β-lactam antibiotics and have become a global health issue. In this work, we analyzed the impact of a rotating magnetic field (RMF) of well-defined and strictly controlled characteristics coupled with β-lactam antibiotics against a total of 28 methicillin-resistant and sensitive S. aureus strains. The results indicate that the application of RMF combined with β-lactam antibiotics correlated with favorable changes in growth inhibition zones or in minimal inhibitory concentrations of the antibiotics compared to controls unexposed to RMF. Fluorescence microscopy indicated a drop in the relative number of cells with intact cell walls after exposure to RMF. These findings were additionally supported by the use of SEM and TEM microscopy, which revealed morphological alterations of RMF-exposed cells manifested by change of shape, drop in cell wall density and cytoplasm condensation. The obtained results indicate that the originally limited impact of β-lactam antibiotics in MRSA is boosted by the disturbances caused by RMF in the bacterial cell walls. Taking into account the high clinical need for new therapeutic options, effective against MRSA, the data presented in this study have high developmental potential and could serve as a basis for new treatment options for MRSA infections.

The Effect of Rotating Magnetic Field on Susceptibility Profile of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains Exposed to Activity of Different Groups of Antibiotics

Methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have become a global issue for healthcare systems due to their resistance to most β-lactam antibiotics, frequently accompanied by resistance to other classes of antibiotics. In this work, we analyzed the impact of combined use of rotating magnetic field (RMF) with various classes of antibiotics (β-lactams, glycopeptides, macrolides, lincosamides, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, and fluoroquinolones) against nine S. aureus strains (eight methicillin-resistant and one methicillin-sensitive). The results indicated that the application of RMF combined with antibiotics interfering with cell walls (particularly with the β-lactam antibiotics) translate into favorable changes in staphylococcal growth inhibition zones or in minimal inhibitory concentration values compared to the control settings, which were unexposed to RMF. As an example, the MIC value of cefoxitin was reduced in all MRSA strains by up to 42 times. Apart from the β-lactams, the reduced MIC values were also found for erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline (three strains), ciprofloxacin (one strain), gentamicin (six strains), and teicoplanin (seven strains). The results obtained with the use of in vitro biofilm model confirm that the disturbances caused by RMF in the bacterial cell walls increase the effectiveness of the antibiotics towards MRSA. Because the clinical demand for new therapeutic options effective against MRSA is undisputable, the outcomes and conclusions drawn from the present study may be considered an important road into the application of magnetic fields to fight infections caused by methicillin-resistant staphylococci.

Impact of a static magnetic field on biodegradation of wastewater compounds and bacteria recombination

The current study presents results concerning the effect of a static magnetic field (SMF) on synthetic wastewater biodegradation by activated sludge and on dehydrogenase activity of microorganisms of activated sludge. The highest process efficiency was obtained for a SMF of 0.0075 T among the tested magnetic flux density values of 0.005-0.14 T. Decrease in COD was 25% higher for the bioreactor exposed to SMF compared with control experiments. The positive effect of SMF 0.0075-0.0080 T was confirmed in experiments on the dehydrogenase activity of activated sludge. It was also shown that a SMF of 0.007 T increased p-nitroaniline removal from wastewater and influenced the recombination frequency in a streptomycin-resistant bacteria strain of Eschercihia coli.

Application of Rotating Magnetic Fields Increase the Activity of Antimicrobials Against Wound Biofilm Pathogens

Infective complications are a major factor contributing to wound chronicity and can be associated with significant morbidity or mortality. Wound bacteria are protected in biofilm communities and are highly resistant to immune system components and to antimicrobials used in wound therapy. There is an urgent medical need to more effectively eradicate wound biofilm pathogens. In the present work, we tested the impact of such commonly used antibiotics and antiseptics as gentamycin, ciprofloxacin, octenidine, chlorhexidine, polihexanidine, and ethacridine lactate delivered to Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms in the presence of rotating magnetic fields (RMFs) of 10–50 Hz frequency and produced by a customized RMF generator. Fifty percent greater reduction in biofilm growth and biomass was observed after exposure to RMF as compared to biofilms not exposed to RMF. Our results suggest that RMF as an adjunct to antiseptic wound care can significantly improve antibiofilm activity, which has important translational potential for clinical applications.

Unraveling the expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis pathway of cardiolipin and phosphatidylethanolamine in Salmonella Hadar grown under static magnetic field 200 mT

We aimed in this work to evaluate the effect of static magnetic field 200 mT (SMF) on the expression of genes involved in the biosynthetic pathway of cardiolipin: g3pd, plsB, cdsA, pgsA, pgpA, cls and phosphatidylethanolamine: pssA and psd in Salmonella enterica subsp enterica serovar Hadar. Bacteria were exposed to a SMF during 3, 6 and 9 h. RNA extraction was followed by Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction RT-PCR. The relative quantification of mRNA expression levels using 16S rRNA doesn't change during the time exposure. RT-PCR was done for two exposure experiments. The gene expression using RT-PCR present no significant difference in case of plsB, cdsA, pgpA, pgsA and psd genes during the different exposure times. However, a significant increase was observed in the expression of g3pd and pssA genes after 6 h and for cls gene after 3 h of exposure, but any variation was notified after 9 h of exposure. So we can conclude from this study that cls, g3pd and pssA genes are required in the adaptation of Salmonella Hadar to SMF.

Influence of static magnetic field exposure on fatty acid composition in Salmonella Hadar

We have been interested, in this work, to investigate the effect of the exposure to static magnetic field at 200 mT (SMF) on the fatty acid (FA) composition of Salmonella enterica subsp Enterica serovar Hadar isolate 287: effects on the proportion of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (SFAs, UFAs), cyclopropane fatty acids (CFAs) and hydroxy fatty acids after exposure to the static magnetic field at 200 mT (SMF). Analysis with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) of total lipid showed that the proportion of the most fatty acids was clearly affected. The comparison of UFAs/SFAs ratio in exposed bacteria and controls showed a diminution after 3 and 6 h of exposure. This ration reached a balance after 9 h of treatment with SMF. So we can conclude that S. Hadar tries to adapt to magnetic stress by changing the proportions of SFAs and UFAs over time to maintain an equilibrium after 9 h of exposure, thus to maintain the inner membranes fluidity. Also, a decrease in the proportion of hydroxy FAs was observed after 6 h but an increase of this proportion after 9 h of exposure. Concerning CFAs, its proportion raised after 6 h of exposure to the SMF but it decreased after 9 h of exposure. These results are strongly correlated with those of cfa (cyclopropane fatty acid synthase) gene expression which showed a decrease of its expression after 9 h of exposure.

Effects of microwave (2.45 GHz) irradiation on some biological characters of Salmonella typhimurium

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of sub-lethal doses of microwave radiation on some biological characteristics in Salmonella typhimurium. The aim was to show the relationship between this treatment and the development of radiotolerance in this pathogen because there is a need for more information on physiological responses of pathogens to sub-lethal doses of microwave radiation. So, the bacterial strain was treated with a dose of 3600J (40-s exposure with power P=90 W) to cause cellular damage. The results have shown that the exposure of bacteria to microwaves resulted in a significant inhibition of cellular growth. This treatment has notably increased the effectiveness of the most tested antibiotics by the amelioration or the appearance of sensitivity in exposed bacteria. Gas chromatography (GC) analysis was performed to demonstrate the modification of the fatty acids (FA) composition. Results obtained have shown that this treatment had a significant effect on the FA content with an increase of unsaturated FA percentage. The acquisition of sensitivity to the sodium deoxycholate and the significant increase in the amount of extracellular proteins in exposed bacteria has confirmed the weakening of the bacterial membrane by microwaves. This study represents one of the few demonstrating the modifications on the bacterial membrane as a cellular response to survive the non-ionising radiation stress.

Effects of static magnetic fields on growth and membrane lipid composition of Salmonella typhimurium wild-type and dam mutant strains

This study was carried out to explore the adaptive mechanisms of S. typhimurium particularly, the implication of the Dam methyltransferase in the remodelling of membrane lipid composition to overcome magnetic field stress. With this aim, we focused our analyses on the increase in viable numbers and membrane lipid modifications of S. typhimurium wild-type and dam mutant cells exposed for 10h to static magnetic fields (SMF; 200 mT). For the wild-type strain, exposure to SMF induced a significant decrease (p<0.05) of CFU at 6h, followed by an increase between 8 and 10h. Growth of the dam mutant was significantly affected (p<0.05) after 6h and no recovery was observed until 10h, highlighting a different behavior of SMF stressed wild-type and dam mutant strains. SMF significantly affected the phospholipid proportions in the two strains. The most affected were those of the acidic phospholipids, cardiolipins (CL). In the dam strain the phospholipid response to SMF followed a globally similar trend as in the wild-type with however lower effects, leading mainly to an unusual accumulation of CL. This would in part explain the different behavior of the wild-type and the dam strain. Results showed a significant increase of membrane cyclic fatty acids Cyc17 and Cyc19 in the wild-type strain but only the Cyc17 in the dam strain and a meaningful increase of the total unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) to total saturated fatty acids (SFAs) ratios of the exposed cells compared to controls from 3 to 9h (p<0.05) for both strains. The net increase of the total UFAs to total SFAs ratios seemed to result mainly from the increase of (C18:1) proportion (p<0.05) and to a lower extent from that of (C16:1) (p<0.05). These modifications of cyclic and unsaturated fatty acid proportions constitute an adaptive response to SMF stress in S. typhimurium wild-type and dam mutants to maintain an optimum level of membrane fluidity under SMF.