ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF COPPER OXIDE NANOPARTICLES AGAINST METHICILLIN RESISTANT Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Abstract

One hundred wound swab samples were collected from wound patients who visited in the Teaching Hospital wound unit in Hillah, Babylon province, Iraq. S. aureus was identified morphologically and biochemically. Total of 30 (30%) from total samples exhibited positive culture for S. aureus. Out of 30 S. aureus, 8 (26.6%) isolates were MRSA, Antibiotic susceptibility was tested for 8 antibiotics for MRSA that appeared sensitive toward Tetracycline, Rifampin and Ciprofloxacin (62.5%) but (37.5%) were resistant. For PenicillinG and Cefoxitin, all isolates were resistant (100%). For Clindamycin, (25%) of isolates were resistant but (75%) were sensitive. About (62.5%) were resistant to Erythromycin but (37.5%) were sensitive. Isolates showed resistance to Gentamycin in 50% and 50% sensitive. Anti-bacterial activity of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) against S. aureus displays excessive widespread spectrum antibacterial action against established bacteria with increase zone of inhibition diameter that is proportional with the increase in nanoparticle concentration. The (MIC of CuO NPs ranged from 75-150μg/ml and the MBC ranged from 150-300μg/ml. CuO NPs is recommended as an efficient anti-MRSA alternative.