Promising Antibacterial Effect of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles against Several Multidrug Resistant Uropathogens

Background: Recently, nanotechnology has been demonstrated to be a promising application to overcome the problem of antibiotic resistance. In the present study, we aimed to determine the antibacterial activity of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) on several multiple-drug resistant (MDR) uropathogenic strains. Methods: This in vitro case-control study was performed on 4 uropathogenic bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antibacterial property was evaluated by well diffusion method at different concentrations of CuO NPs. Results: Overall, NPs concentration of 10, 25 and 50 µg/mL showed the remarkable antibacterial activity. A lower effect was seen against S. aureus strains. CuO NPs exhibited maximum bacterial growth inhibition against E. faecalis strains. In most of the cases, the zone of inhibition in 50 µg/mL concentration was closest to control positive antibiotics. Conclusion: In summary, CuO NPs as an alternative to conventional antibiotics that are currently used showed dose-dependent on antibacterial activity against different uropathogens, specificity towards pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria. This promising antibacterial activity of CuO NPs suggesting the development of NPs coatings on the different surface of biomedical materials for applications in different antimicrobial control systems.