Inactivation of Pathogens

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Track Code:TAMU 4484 Tags   wound healing, resistance, bacteria, pathogens, Antiobotic Overview The increasing resistance of pathogens to antibiotics is one of the biggest threats to global Health, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Patients treated through routine medical procedures will be at risk of deadly bacterial infections due to resistant bacteria. Many antibiotic alternatives are effective at inactivating pathogens, but require dosage levels that are toxic to many. Due to toxicity limitations, efficient inactivation of pathogens requires an approach other than increasing dosage. Technology The proposed synergistic system for the inactivation of pathogens uses a combination of agents. Individually, both methylene blue, MB, and silver nitrate kill pathogens, but at an effect much lower than antibiotics. In combination, MB and silver nitrate are up to three orders of magnitude more effective in killing pathogens than the two agents acting alone. This synergistic mechanism is due to silver ions increasing the penetration of MB into the bacteria interior, allowing photogenerated single oxygen to react with DNA and prevent replication. At low doses of MB and silver nitrate or silver nanoparticles combined there is an effective bacteria inactivation without any deleterious effects on human tissue. Advantages Synergistic system that drastically improves effectiveness of individual agents Combination of agents allows for greater effectiveness without toxic effect on human tissue Applications Antibiotic alternative Accelerated wound healing Stage of Development Tested against five bacterial strains including Serratia marcescens and Escherichia Coli Patent Status Patent Pending Publications Li, R., Chen, J., Cesario, T. C., Wang, X., Yuan, J. S., & Rentzepis, P. M. “Synergistic reaction of silver nitrate, silver nanoparticles, and methylene blue against bacteria.” (2016). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 201611193.