RT Journal Article T1 Effect of gold nanostars plus amikacin against cabapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae biofilm. A1 Aguilera Correa, John Jairo A1 García Álvarez, Rafaela A1 Mediero Muñoz, Aránzazu A1 Esteban, Jaime A1 Vallet Regí, María Dulce Nombre AB (1) Background: Carbapenem-resistant Klesiella pneumoniae (CR-KP) infection rates depict an almost pre-antibiotic scenario since the pipeline for effective antibiotics against this pathogen has been almost entirely depleted. This study aims to evaluate the antibacterial effect of gold nanostars (GNS) alone or associated with some of the most widely used antibiotics for the treatment of CR-KP strains, i.e., meropenem or amikacin, on both planktonic and sessile forms. Additionally, we measured the effect of GNS on cell proliferation and biocompatibility in invertebrate in vivo models.(2) Materials and methods: GNS were made from gold seeds grown using a seeded-growth surfactant-free method assisted by silver ions and functionalized with mercapto-poly(ethylene glycol)amino by ligand exchange. The antimicrobial capacity, effect on cell proliferation, and biocompatibility of the most effective combination was evaluated in a Galleria mellonella model. (3) Results:The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) were 80 and 160 µM of GNS for all strains, respectively. The minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) and minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) were >320 µM of GNS for both. A synergy was found between GNS and amikacin. Larvae administered GNS plus amikacin were found to tolerate the treatment well, which prevented infection. (4) Conclusions: GNS are a promising anti-CR-KP nanomaterial. PB MDPI SN 2079-7737 YR 2022 FD 2022-01-20 LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/71288 UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/71288 LA eng NO RESEARCHER ID M-3378-2014 (María Vallet Regí)ORCID 0000-0002-6104-4889 (María Vallet Regí) NO Unión Europea. Horizonte 2020 DS Docta Complutense RD 7 abr 2025