Abstract

The hazardous consequences of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure represent a public health concern. Common sources of EMF include smartphones and wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi). The aim of our study is to assess whether exposure to Wi-Fi radiofrequency radiation influences the pathogenic traits of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. The susceptibility to antibiotics was evaluated by the determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). In this study, K. pneumoniae showed a non-linear response to treatments with Colistin and Gentamycin following different Wi-Fi exposure periods. Transmission electron microscopy revealed morphological changes in the bacterial cell membrane within 24 h of Wi-Fi exposure. Crystal violet quantification and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that the ability to form biofilms was greater in Wi-Fi exposed K. pneumonia when compared to control. Moreover, higher levels of bcsA, mrkA, and luxS messenger RNAs were observed. Our data suggest that Wi-Fi exposure can influence bacteria in a stressful way, leading to an alteration in their antibiotic susceptibility, morphological changes, and cumulative biofilm formation. © 2021 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34337771/

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https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6605927873914130432/

Accumulating evidence reveals that exposure of bacteria to a wide variety of physical stressors ranging from ultrasound to ionizing and non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation can make them resistant to antibiotics. A study conducted recently showed that the exposure of E. coli DH5α to Wi-Fi radiofrequency radiation for 5 hours influenced several bacterial cellular and metabolic processes through up-regulating 52 genes and down-regulating 49 genes [1]. Another recent study conducted by the same team shows that exposure of Escherichia coli bacteria to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi radiofrequency radiation increased their antibiotic resistance and motility. Moreover, biofilm formation was enhanced in Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis [2]. These findings clearly confirm our earlier findings on physical stressor-induced alterations (rise or fall) in bacterial drug resistance [3-5]. References:

[1] https://lnkd.in/dHBSzBw

[2] https://lnkd.in/dmC78nh

[3] https://lnkd.in/dMvusex

[4] https://lnkd.in/dSmsdYc

[5] https://lnkd.in/dHzxw-T

Added note by EMFSA:

Evaluation of Wi-Fi Radiation Effects on Antibiotic Susceptibility, Metabolic Activity and Biofilm Formation by Escherichia Coli 0157H7, Staphylococcus Aureus and Staphylococcus Epidermis

The post Bacterial Antibiotic Resistance appeared first on EMFSA.

Abstract

Background:

The radiation emitted from electromagnetic fields (EMF) can cause biological effects on prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including non-thermal effects.

Objective:

The present study evaluated the non-thermal effects of wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) operating at 2.4 GHz part of non-ionizing EMF on different pathogenic bacterial strains (Escherichia coli 0157H7, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermis). Antibiotic resistance, motility, metabolic activity and biofilm formation were examined.

Material and Methods:

In this case-control, a Wi-Fi router was used as a source of microwaves and also bacterial cells were exposed to Wi-Fi radiation continuously for 24 and 48 hours. The antibiotic susceptibility was carried out using a disc diffusion method on Müller Hinton agar plates. Motility of Escherichia coli 0157H7 was conducted on motility agar plates. Cell metabolic activity and biofilm formation were performed using 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and crystal violet quantification, respectively.

Results:

The exposure to Wi-Fi radiation altered motility and antibiotic susceptibility of Escherichia coli 0157H7. However, there was no effect Wi-Fi radiation on antibiotic susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis. On the other hand, the exposed cells, as compared to the unexposed control, showed an increased metabolic activity and biofilm formation ability in Escherichia coli 0157H7, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis.

Conclusion:

These results proposed that Wi-Fi exposure acted on bacteria in stressful manner by increasing antibiotic resistance and motility of Escherichia coli 0157H7, as well as enhancing biofilm formation by Escherichia coli 0157H7, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis. The findings may have implications for the management of serious diseases caused by these infectious bacteria.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6820025/?fbclid=IwAR2ZweuyjWhJV7dLq0KnrowPFKTt3imHqxc2dV0mgd_q_vP7hoGB6wfIM4M

The post Evaluation of Wi-Fi Radiation Effects on Antibiotic Susceptibility, Metabolic Activity and Biofilm Formation by Escherichia Coli 0157H7, Staphylococcus Aureus and Staphylococcus Epidermis appeared first on EMFSA.

Abstract

The post Global gene expression analysis of Escherichia coli K-12 DH5α after exposure to 2.4 GHz wireless fidelity radiation. appeared first on EMFSA.

Abstract:

Background:

The radiation emitted from electromagnetic fields (EMF) can cause biological effects on prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including non-thermal effects.

Objective:

The present study evaluated the non-thermal effects of wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) operating at 2.4 GHz part of non-ionizing EMF on different pathogenic bacterial strains (Escherichia coli O157H7, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermis). Antibiotic resistance, motility, metabolic activity and biofilm formation were examined.

Material and Methods:

A Wi-Fi router was used as a source of microwaves and also bacterial cells were exposed to Wi-Fi radiation continuously for 24 and 48 hours. The antibiotic susceptibility was carried out using a disc diffusion method on Müller Hinton agar plates. Motility of Escherichia coli O157H7 was conducted on
motility agar plates. Cell metabolic activity and biofilm formation were performed using 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and crystal violet quantification, respectively.

Results:

The exposure to Wi-Fi radiation altered motility and antibiotic susceptibility of Escherichia coli O157H7. However, there was no effect Wi-Fi radiation on antibiotic susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis.
On the other hand, the exposed cells, as compared to the unexposed control, showed an increased metabolic activity and biofilm formation ability in Escherichia coli O157H7, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis.

Conclusion:

These results proposed that Wi-Fi exposure acted on bacteria in stressful manner by increasing antibiotic resistance and motility of Escherichia coli O157H7, as well as enhancing biofilm formation by Escherichia coli O157H7, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis. The findings may have implications for the management of serious diseases caused by these infectious bacteria.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6820025/

The post Evaluation of Wi-Fi Radiation Effects on Antibiotic Susceptibility, Metabolic Activity and Biofilm Formation by Escherichia Coli O157H7, Staphylococcus Aureus and Staphylococcus Epidermis appeared first on EMFSA.