Improving Antibacterial Activity of Methicillin By Conjugation To Functionalized Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes Against S. Aureus

Abstract Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a problem in both healthcare institutions and community settings. This is due to its multi-drug-resistant challenges. Recent advancement in nanotechnology has expanded our ability to design and construct nanomaterials to treat bacterial infections. Carbon nanotubes are one of these nanomaterials. Herein, twenty isolates from hospitals were identified as S. aureus based on morphology, Gram stain, catalase test, coagulase test, and mannitol salt agar fermentation. Isolates were subjected to bio-typing, the methicillin resistance was characterized using the disk diffusion method and PCR of the mecA gene. Then, the single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were functionalized and conjugated to methicillin. The prepared nano-antibiotics were characterized using FTIR and SEM analysis. The characterization of the nano-antibiotics confirmed the successful functionalization of the SWCNTs and the addition of carboxyl groups. Interestingly, the results of the antibacterial activity indicated that the functionalized methicillin-loaded SWCNTs have a significant increase in the antibacterial activity against the S. aureus in comparison to the methicillin-free drug.