Novel biosynthesis of tellurium nanoparticles and investigation of their activity against common pathogenic bacteria

Objectives: Tellurium has received substantial attention for its remarkable properties. This study performed in vitro and in vivo testing of the antibacterial action of tellurium nanoparticles biosynthesized in actinomycetes against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a common blood bacterial pathogen. Methods: Nine actinomycete isolates were tested for their potential to reduce potassium tellurite (K2TeO3) and form tellurium nanoparticles (TeNPs). The most efficient acti-nomycete isolate in producing Tellerium nanoparticles was identified through molecular protocols. The generated TeNPs were characterized using UV, TEM, EDX, XRD and FTIR. The bacterial species implicated in bloodstream infections were detected at El Hussein Hospital. Bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing were per-formed using Vitek 2. An animal infection model was used to test the efficacy of the produced TeNPs against the most commonly isolated methicillin-resistant S. aureus using survival assays, colony counting, cytokine assessment and biochemical testing. Results: The most efficient actinomycete isolate was identified as Streptomyces graminisoli and given the accession number (OL773539). The mean particle size of the produced TeNPs was 21.4 nm, and rods and rosette forms were observed. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was the main bacterium (60%) causing blood stream infections, and was followed by Escherichia coli (25%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (15%). The produced TeNPs were tested against MRSA, the bacterium most frequently isolated from blood, and showed a promising action inhibition zone of 24 +/- 0.7 mm and an MIC of 50 mg/ml. An animal infection model indicated the promise of TeNPs alone or in combination with standard drugs to combat MRSA in a rat intravenous infection model. Conclusion: TeNPs combined with vancomycin have successive impact to combat bacteremia for further veri-fication of results.