Antibiofilm Activity of ZnO/Zeolite Nanocomposite (ZnO/ZeoNC) Against Klebsiella pneumoniae and its Biocompatibility in an Animal Model

Background: Infectious diseases, whether intracellular or extracellular infections, biofilm- mediated, or medical device-associated, have always been a global public health problem, causing millions of deaths each year. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibiofilm activity of ZnO/ZeoNC against K. pneumoniae along with the biocompatibility of the nanocomposite in vivo model. Objective: The formation of biofilm by K. pneumoniae in the catheter-associated urinary tract causes a nosocomial infection. In this regard, antimicrobial nanomaterials have emerged as potent effective agents against biofilm formation. Nevertheless, nanoparticles have already been a challenge with possible side effects such as inflammation. The ZnO/ZeoNC may exhibit anti-biofilm property with minimal adverse effects. Methods: The biofilm formation of K. pneumoniae strains was exposed to ZnO/ZeoNC and then SEM imaging was performed for morphological investigation of bacteria in biofilm state. The response to ZnO/ZeoNC embedded polyethylene tube of the tissue of mice was also analyzed during the 30-day experiment. Results: The results of this study showed that ZnO/ZeoNC has significant antibiofilm activity against K. pneumoniae strains in its sublethal doses. The ZnO/ZeoNC also caused deformation in K. pneumoniae biofilm. In addition, ZnO/ZeoNC also reduced inflammatory response in cell tissue of rats subjected to polyethylene tube. Conclusion: ZnO/ZeoNC can be used potentially against the infections caused by K. pneumonia biofilm without any irritability on the biotic surface such as the urinary tract.