Antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficacy of graphene oxide against chronic wound microorganisms [PublishAheadOfPrint]

Chronic wounds represent an increasing problem worldwide. Graphene oxide (GO) has been reported to exhibit strong antibacterial activity towards both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The aim of this work was to investigate the in vitro antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficacy of GO against wound pathogens. Staphylococcus aureus PECHA 10, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PECHA 4 and Candida albicans X3 clinical isolates were incubated with 50 mg/L of GO for 2 and 24 h to evaluate the antimicrobial effect. Optical and Atomic force microscopy images were performed to visualize the GO effect on microbial cells. Moreover, the antibiofilm effect of GO was tested on biofilms both in formation and mature. When compared to the respective time controls, GO significantly reduced the S. aureus growth both at 2 and 24 h in a time dependent way, and displayed a bacteriostatic effect in respect to the GO t=0; an immediate (after 2 h) slowdown of bacterial growth was detected for P. aeruginosa whereas a tardive effect (after 24 h) was recorded for C. albicans. Atomic force microscopy images showed the complete wrapping of S. aureus and C. albicans with GO sheets that explains its antimicrobial activity. Moreover, significant inhibition of biofilm formation and a reduction of mature biofilm were recorded for each detected microorganism. The antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of GO against chronic wound microrganisms make it an interesting candidate to incorporate into wound bandages to treat and/or prevent microbial infections.

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