Nanoparticles used to treat bacterial infections

TEHRAN, Jan. 12 (MNA) – Iranian researchers have succeeded in using nanoparticles for treating bacterial infections through destroying pathogenic bacteria’s biofilm. Mojtaba Shakibaei, the researcher in charge of the project at the University of Medical Sciences of Kerman, told Mehr News that using various nanoparticles can be regarded as a new method to fight bacteria and their biofilms, adding that for this reason, they have produced selenium nanoparticles to examine their anti-biofilm functions.” “It has already been proved that selenium nanoparticles have anti-bacterial, anti-virus, and anti-oxidant effects, however our project revealed for the very first time that these nanoparticles have anti-biofilm effects as well,” he said. Shakibaei also maintained that these nanoparticles were produced through a ‘clean, non-toxic, and environment-friendly mechanism.’ A biofilm is any group of microorganisms in which cells stick to each other on a surface. Biofilms may form on living or non-living surfaces and can be prevalent in natural, industrial and hospital settings. This finally results in further infection in patients. The project aims at reducing hospitalization time, antibiotic resistance, and treatment costs. The research has been published on Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 29th volume, 2015.