Brain-Eating Amoebae: Silver Nanoparticle Conjugation Enhanced Efficacy of Anti-Amoebic Drugs against Naegleria fowleri

ACS Chem Neurosci. 2017 Dec 20;8(12):2626-2630. doi: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00430. Epub 2017 Dec 5.

Abstract

The overall aim of this study was to determine whether conjugation with silver nanoparticles enhances effects of available drugs against primary amoebic meningoencephalitis due to Naegleria fowleri. Amphotericin B, Nystatin, and Fluconazole were conjugated with silver nanoparticles, and synthesis was confirmed using UV-visible spectrophotometry. Atomic force microscopy determined their size in range of 20-100 nm. To determine amoebicidal effects, N. fowleri were incubated with drugs-conjugated silver nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles alone, and drugs alone. The findings revealed that silver nanoparticles conjugation significantly enhanced antiamoebic effects of Nystatin and Amphotericin B but not Fluconazole at micromolar concentrations, compared with the drugs alone. For the first time, our findings showed that silver nanoparticle conjugation enhances efficacy of antiamoebic drugs against N. fowleri. Given the rarity of the disease and challenges in developing new drugs, it is hoped that modifying existing drugs to enhance their antiamoebic effects is a useful avenue that holds promise in improving the treatment of brain-eating amoebae infection due to N. fowleri.

Keywords: Naegleria fowleri; brain eating amoebae; chemotherapy; primary amoebic meningoencephalitis; silver nanoparticles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amebicides / administration & dosage*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drug Synergism
  • Fluconazole / administration & dosage
  • Metal Nanoparticles / administration & dosage*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Metal Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Naegleria fowleri / cytology
  • Naegleria fowleri / drug effects*
  • Naegleria fowleri / physiology*
  • Nanocapsules / administration & dosage
  • Nanocapsules / chemistry
  • Nanocapsules / ultrastructure
  • Nanoconjugates / administration & dosage*
  • Nanoconjugates / chemistry*
  • Nanoconjugates / ultrastructure
  • Nystatin / administration & dosage
  • Particle Size
  • Silver / administration & dosage*
  • Silver / chemistry
  • Survival Rate
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Amebicides
  • Drug Combinations
  • Nanocapsules
  • Nanoconjugates
  • Nystatin
  • Silver
  • Fluconazole