Role of Silver Ions in Destabilization of Intermolecular Adhesion Forces Measured by Atomic Force Microscopy in Staphylococcus Epidermidis Biofilms

Overview

Journal Antimicrob Agents Chemother

Publisher American Society for Microbiology

Specialty Pharmacology

Date 2005 Nov 24

PMID 16304145

Citations 38

Authors

K C Chaw

M Manimaran

Francis E H Tay

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

In this paper, we report on the potential use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) as a tool to measure the intermolecular forces in biofilm structures and to study the effect of silver ions on sessile Staphylococcus epidermidis cell viability and stability. We propose a strategy of destabilizing the biofilm matrix by reducing the intermolecular forces within the extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) using a low concentration (50 ppb) of silver ions. Our AFM studies on the intermolecular forces within the EPSs of S. epidermidis RP62A and S.epidermidis 1457 biofilms suggest that the silver ions can destabilize the biofilm matrix by binding to electron donor groups of the biological molecules. This leads to reductions in the number of binding sites for hydrogen bonds and electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions and, hence, the destabilization of the biofilm structure.

Citing Articles

Activity of silver-zinc nanozeolite-based antibiofilm wound dressings in an in vitro biofilm model and comparison with commercial dressings.

Alobaid S, Shrestha S, Tasseff M, Wang B, van Hoek M, Dutta P Discov Nano. 2025; 20(1):26.

PMID: 39932517 PMC: 11813856. DOI: 10.1186/s11671-025-04208-8.

Nanomaterial-based drug-delivery system as an aid to antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in treating oral biofilm.

Sun G, Huang S, Wang S, Li Y Future Microbiol. 2024; 19(8):741-759.

PMID: 38683167 PMC: 11259068. DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2023-0259.

Advances in the Sensing and Treatment of Wound Biofilms.

Darvishi S, Tavakoli S, Kharaziha M, Girault H, Kaminski C, Mela I Angew Chem Weinheim Bergstr Ger. 2024; 134(13):e202112218.

PMID: 38505642 PMC: 10946914. DOI: 10.1002/ange.202112218.

How to study biofilms: technological advancements in clinical biofilm research.

Cleaver L, Garnett J Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2023; 13:1335389.

PMID: 38156318 PMC: 10753778. DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1335389.

The consistent application of hydrogen peroxide controls biofilm growth and removes from multi-kingdom dental unit water biofilms.

Hoogenkamp M, Mazurel D, Deutekom-Mulder E, de Soet J Biofilm. 2023; 5:100132.

PMID: 37346320 PMC: 10279787. DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2023.100132.

References

Walker J, Bradshaw D, Bennett A, Fulford M, Martin M, Marsh P . Microbial biofilm formation and contamination of dental-unit water systems in general dental practice. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2000; 66(8):3363-7. PMC: 92156. DOI: 10.1128/AEM.66.8.3363-3367.2000. View

Simonetti N, Simonetti G, Bougnol F, Scalzo M . Electrochemical Ag+ for preservative use. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1992; 58(12):3834-6. PMC: 183190. DOI: 10.1128/aem.58.12.3834-3836.1992. View

Becker R . Silver ions in the treatment of local infections. Met Based Drugs. 2008; 6(4-5):311-4. PMC: 2365176. DOI: 10.1155/MBD.1999.311. View

Hussain M, Herrmann M, von Eiff C, Perdreau-Remington F, Peters G . A 140-kilodalton extracellular protein is essential for the accumulation of Staphylococcus epidermidis strains on surfaces. Infect Immun. 1997; 65(2):519-24. PMC: 176090. DOI: 10.1128/iai.65.2.519-524.1997. View

Klasen H . A historical review of the use of silver in the treatment of burns. II. Renewed interest for silver. Burns. 2000; 26(2):131-8. DOI: 10.1016/s0305-4179(99)00116-3. View

Sutherland I . Biofilm exopolysaccharides: a strong and sticky framework. Microbiology (Reading). 2001; 147(Pt 1):3-9. DOI: 10.1099/00221287-147-1-3. View

Kampf G, DIETZE B, Grosse-Siestrup C, Wendt C, Martiny H . Microbicidal activity of a new silver-containing polymer, SPI-ARGENT II. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1998; 42(9):2440-2. PMC: 105850. DOI: 10.1128/AAC.42.9.2440. View

Wenzel R, Edmond M . The impact of hospital-acquired bloodstream infections. Emerg Infect Dis. 2001; 7(2):174-7. PMC: 2631709. DOI: 10.3201/eid0702.010203. View

Piper C, Korfer R, Horstkotte D . Prosthetic valve endocarditis. Heart. 2001; 85(5):590-3. PMC: 1729722. DOI: 10.1136/heart.85.5.590. View

10.

Polonio R, Mermel L, Paquette G, Sperry J . Eradication of biofilm-forming Staphylococcus epidermidis (RP62A) by a combination of sodium salicylate and vancomycin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2001; 45(11):3262-6. PMC: 90822. DOI: 10.1128/AAC.45.11.3262-3266.2001. View

11.

Lewis K . Riddle of biofilm resistance. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2001; 45(4):999-1007. PMC: 90417. DOI: 10.1128/AAC.45.4.999-1007.2001. View

12.

Heilmann C, Peters G, Gotz F, Pulverer G . Comparative analysis of a biofilm-forming Staphylococcus epidermidis strain and its adhesion-positive, accumulation-negative mutant M7. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 1994; 117(1):71-8. DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1994.tb06744.x. View

13.

Dunne Jr W . Bacterial adhesion: seen any good biofilms lately?. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2002; 15(2):155-66. PMC: 118072. DOI: 10.1128/CMR.15.2.155-166.2002. View

14.

Schierholz J, Beuth J, Pulverer G, Konig D . Silver-containing polymers. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2000; 43(11):2819-20; author reply 2820-1. PMC: 89571. DOI: 10.1128/AAC.43.11.2819. View

15.

Francolini I, Norris P, Piozzi A, Donelli G, Stoodley P . Usnic acid, a natural antimicrobial agent able to inhibit bacterial biofilm formation on polymer surfaces. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2004; 48(11):4360-5. PMC: 525405. DOI: 10.1128/AAC.48.11.4360-4365.2004. View

16.

Trautner B, Darouiche R . Catheter-associated infections: pathogenesis affects prevention. Arch Intern Med. 2004; 164(8):842-50. PMC: 2963580. DOI: 10.1001/archinte.164.8.842. View

17.

Mulligan A, Wilson M, Knowles J . Effect of increasing silver content in phosphate-based glasses on biofilms of Streptococcus sanguis. J Biomed Mater Res A. 2003; 67(2):401-12. DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.10052. View

18.

Mack D, Fischer W, Krokotsch A, Leopold K, Hartmann R, EGGE H . The intercellular adhesin involved in biofilm accumulation of Staphylococcus epidermidis is a linear beta-1,6-linked glucosaminoglycan: purification and structural analysis. J Bacteriol. 1996; 178(1):175-83. PMC: 177636. DOI: 10.1128/jb.178.1.175-183.1996. View

19.

Akiyama H, Yamasaki O, Kanzaki H, Tada J, Arata J . Effects of sucrose and silver on Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1998; 42(5):629-34. DOI: 10.1093/jac/42.5.629. View

20.

OGara J, Humphreys H . Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms: importance and implications. J Med Microbiol. 2001; 50(7):582-587. DOI: 10.1099/0022-1317-50-7-582. View