Functionalized Polymers Enhance Permeability of Antibiotics in Gram-negative MDR Bacteria and Biofilms for Synergistic Antimicrobial Therapy.

ABSTRACT: The emergence of multi-drug resistant pathogenic bacteria constitutes a key threat to global health. Infections caused by multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria are particularly challenging to treat due to the ability of pathogens to prevent antibiotic penetration inside the bacterial membrane. Antibiotic therapy is further rendered ineffective due to biofilm formation where the protective Extracellular Polymeric Substance (EPS) matrix limits the diffusion of antibiotics inside the biofilm. We hypothesized that careful engineering of chemical groups on polymer scaffolds could enable polymers to penetrate the barriers of Gram-negative bacterial membrane and biofilm matrix. Here, we present the use of engineered polymeric nanoparticles in combination with antibiotics for synergistic ant

SUBMITTER: Gupta A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9075683 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature