Performance of chitosan nanoparticle-loaded irrigants on biofilm disruption

Biofilm-associated infections pose a major clinical problem due to their resistance to conventional antimicrobial therapies. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate the effectiveness of chitosan nanoparticle-loaded irrigants in disrupting established Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. Using <i>in vitro</i> 96-well plate models, biofilm biomass reduction and bacterial viability were assessed with crystal violet assay, CFU counts and SEM imaging after exposure to 2% and 1% chitosan nanoparticles, 0.2% chlorhexidine and saline. Data showed that 2% chitosan nanoparticles produced the greatest biofilm disruption (89.7±3.2%) and bacterial reduction (4.8±0.3 log10 CFU/mL), significantly outperforming 1% chitosan and chlorhexidine. Thus, we show that chitosan nanoparticle irrigants, particularly at higher concentrations, may serve as effective alternatives for managing biofilm-associated infections.