Antimicrobial Effect of Silver Nanoparticles and Combination with Cotrimoxazole against Salmonella Typhi in Vitro and in Animal Model

Introduction: Salmonella typhi is a large group of gram-negative bacilli with Enterobacteriaceae and common pathogens between humans and animals, which is the main cause of typhoid fever in humans. One of the most common antibiotics in the treatment of Salmonella is cotrimoxazole, but due to the widespread use of antibiotics, bacterial resistance has developed. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles and its combination with the antibiotic cotrimoxazole to produce a more effective antimicrobial drug against Salmonell typhi. Methods: In this experimental study, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for silver nanoparticles and combination with cotrimoxazole, was performed based on microdilution method. Then, their antibacterial effects were investigated in infected mouse model. In order to analyze the results statistically, SPSS software version 16 was used. In this test, P< 0.05 was considered as a significant level. Results: MIC and MFC of silver nanoparticles for Salmonella typhi were 4 ppm and 8 ppm respectively, composition of silver nanoparticles with cotrimoxazole for Salmonella typhi were 62 ppm and 125 ppm and cotrimoxazole for Salmonella typhi were 500 ppm and 1000 ppm. Mouse model to study the antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles and combination with cotrimoxazole against Salmonella typhi infection was confirmed., Silver nanoparticles had the highest antibacterial effect and cotrimoxazole has the lowest antibacterial effect than other groups. Conclusion: Silver nanoparticles are very effective compared to other groups, especially the antibacterial cotrimoxazole.