title: A versatile plasmonic thermogel for disinfection of antimicrobial resistant bacteria.
abstract: The increasing occurrence of antimicrobial resistance among bacteria is a global problem that requires the development of alternative techniques to eradicate these superbugs. Herein, we used a combination of thermosensitive biocompatible polymer and gold nanorods to specifically deliver, preserve and confine heat to the area of interest. Our data demonstrates that this technique can be used to kill both Gram positive and Gram negative antimicrobial resistant bacteria in vitro. Our approach significantly reduces the antimicrobial resistant bacteria load in experimentally infected wounds by 98% without harming the surrounding tissues. More importantly, this polymer-nanocomposite can be prepared easily and applied to the wounds, can generate heat using a hand-held laser device, is safe for the operator, and does not have any adverse effects on the wound tissue and healing process.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College St. 407, Toronto, ON, Canada; Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 164 College St. 407, Toronto, ON, Canada; Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagzig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohamed A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Abdou Mohamed
authors.affiliation: Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 164 College St. 407, Toronto, ON, Canada; Materials Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College St. 407, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Vahid
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Raeesi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Patricia V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.affiliation: Gamma-Dynacare Medical Laboratories, Brampton, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Anu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rebbapragada
authors.affiliation: Division of Comparative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Banks
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College St. 407, Toronto, ON, Canada; Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 164 College St. 407, Toronto, ON, Canada; Chemistry, University of Toronto, 164 College St. 407, Toronto, ON, Canada; Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College St. 407, Toronto, ON, Canada; Materials Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College St. 407, Toronto, ON, Canada. Electronic address: warren.chan@utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: Warren C W
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D002209:Caprolactam / Q000737:chemistry; D004203:Disinfection; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects*; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry*; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry; D010789:Phototherapy; D051381:Rats; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D005782:Gels; D002209:Caprolactam; C000362:capron
keywords: Antibiotic resistant bacteria; Gold nanorods; Photothermal; Thermogel; Wound infections