Black Carbon Nanoparticles Modify Pathogens and Affect Resistance

Results showed that exposure to black carbon induced structural, compositional, and functional changes in the biofilms of both S. pneumoniae and S. aureus. Black carbon differentially altered the tolerance of biofilms to proteolytic degradation and multiple antibiotics, increasing S. pneumoniae survival against penicillin, the front line treatment of bacterial pneumonia.

In addition, the results revealed that black carbon impacted bacterial colonization in the body. In a mouse nasopharyngeal colonization model, black carbon caused S. pneumoniae to spread from the nasopharynx to the lungs, which is essential for subsequent infection.

Senior author Dr. Julie Morrissey, associate professor of microbial genetics at the University of Leicester, said, "This work increases our understanding of how air pollution affects human health. It shows that the bacteria, which cause respiratory infections, are affected by air pollution, possibly increasing the risk of infection and the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment of these illnesses. Our research could initiate an entirely new understanding of how air pollution affects human health. It will lead to enhancement of research to understand how air pollution leads to severe respiratory problems and perturbs the environmental cycles essential for life."