title: Discrete nanoparticles induce loss of Legionella pneumophila biofilms from surfaces.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Environmental Toxicology (CU-ENTOX), Clemson University , 509 Westinghouse Road, Pendleton, SC , USA.
authors.forename: Tara D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Raftery
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kerscher
authors.forename: Ashley E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Saville
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Christopher L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Kitchens
authors.forename: Olin Thompson
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Mefford
authors.forename: Tamara L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: McNealy
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D016952:Legionella pneumophila / Q000187:drug effects*; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D006046:Gold