Abstract
Escherichia coli (E. coli) multidrug resistance is one of the most serious reasons for urinary tract and burn wound infections. In this context, the iucD virulence gene and the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles were studied in 20 E. coli isolates from 50 Babylon patients in Iraq. High resistance to ampicillin and tetracycline, moderate susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin, but full susceptibility to imipenem was shown by antimicrobial susceptibilty testing. iucD gene was detected only in three (10%) isolates, representing a marked variability of virulence. The nanoparticles were analyzed by FE-SEM, XRD, FTIR and EDS techniques for spherical morphology of crystalline white particles well dispersed in the matrix. The nanoparticles showed concentration-dependent antibacterial activity with inhibition zones of 17 mm and 13 mm for 2 mg/mL and at 1 mg/mL, respectively, as well as significantly reducing the biofilm formation. These findings indicate that MgO nanoparticles can be used as a potential experimental antibacterial and antibiofilm therapeutic strategy against MDR and biofilm formers of E. coli. Although not aimed to the direct treatment of burn infections in humans, this study also fits into sustainable health research set forward towards UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) as it represents an approach to seek novel strategies for fighting antimicrobial resistance or achieving better infection control.