Effects of Wi-Fi Radiofrequency Radiation on Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae

Abstract

Effects of Wi-Fi Radiofrequency Radiation on Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Ilham Said-Salman, Wissam Yassine, Ali Rammal, Mohammad Hneino, Hoda Yusef, Mohamed Moustafa. Effects of Wi-Fi Radiofrequency Radiation on Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Bioelectromagnetics. 2021 Aug 1. doi: 10.1002/bem.22364. 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. pnemoniae 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. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Excerpts "Several opportunistic bacterial pathogens with multidrug resistance were identified in the area of telecommunication stations [Adebayo et al., 2015]. Research in this area seems to be of big interest and mandatory in order to improve the measures of protection assessment against the occurrence of antibiotic- resistant organisms in the environment." "We measured a constant field of 6 V/m at the position of the exposed sample corresponding to a power flux density of 0.05 W/m2. The influence of the exposure to Wi-Fi waves was investigated, and the protocol consisted of continuous radiation expositions for different periods (1, 5, 10, 20, 24, and 48 h). A control measurement was done for each experimental condition in a Faraday bag at an identical temperature to avoid any external radiation." "K. pneumonia is a rod‐shaped Gram‐negative opportunistic pathogenic bacterium causing nosocomial infections. K. pneumonia has emerged in recent years with enhanced virulence. K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) is the main enzymatic resistance mechanism used by K. pneumoniae against antibiotics [Wang et al., 2011]. Carbapenem‐resistant K. pneumoniae carries the blaKPC gene which confers resistance to carbapenem antibiotics. Bacterial virulence factors such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and biofilm formation play key roles in infection settlement. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that AMR is a “global health crisis” [WHO, 2018]." "In summary, exposure of K. pneumoniae to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi radiofrequency radiation affected the pathogenic traits of multidrug‐resistant bacteria. There was a nonlinear response of K. pneumoniae to Colistin and Gentamycin antibiotics after Wi-Fi pre-exposure. The 24 h exposure period to Wi-Fi radiation disrupted the cell membrane and disintegrated its protoplasm. In addition, the transcription of representative genes implicated in biofilm formation and quorum sensing in K. pneumoniae was upregulated due to Wi‐Fi exposure. The different bacterial responses to EMF observed among reported studies may result from the differences found in cell wall composition between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as the duration and type of the radiation. Low and continuous far-field exposure such as Wi-Fi may cause unexpected antibiotic resistance in the future. Under stress, bacteria tend to regulate their membrane properties through homeostasis by altering the lipid composition, thus resulting in higher permeability [Zhang and Rock, 2008]. While there might be a modification in membrane permeability by such low fields, allowing increased susceptibility to antibiotics, it is not, however, sufficient to induce cell death. Thus, bacteria are more easily affected by lower doses of antibiotics in the environment. Further molecular experiments at gene and protein levels are required for understanding more details on the mechanisms by which these biological changes are taking place in bacteria following exposure to Wi-Fi radiation. Considering the impact of EMF on bacteria is an essential approach for controlling public health threats and may be beneficial for medical applications."

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

K. pneumoniae showed a non-linear response in susceptibility to colistin and gentamycin after different Wi-Fi exposure periods. Transmission electron microscopy indicated morphological changes in the bacterial cell membrane within 24 h of Wi-Fi exposure. Biofilm formation was greater in Wi-Fi exposed bacteria versus control, with higher levels of bcsA, mrkA, and luxS mRNAs reported.

Outcomes measured

• Antibiotic susceptibility (MIC) to colistin and gentamycin
• Bacterial cell membrane morphology (transmission electron microscopy)
• Biofilm formation (crystal violet quantification)
• Gene expression (qRT-PCR): bcsA, mrkA, luxS mRNAs

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in provided text
• Specific quantitative results (e.g., MIC changes, biofilm magnitude, gene expression fold-changes) not provided in the abstract/excerpts
• SAR not reported; exposure described via field strength (6 V/m) and power flux density (0.05 W/m^2)

Suggested hubs

• school-wi-fi (0.35)
  Study examines biological effects of Wi-Fi radiofrequency exposure (2.4 GHz), though not in a school setting.

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    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "wi-fi",
        "frequency_mhz": 2400,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "continuous exposure for 1, 5, 10, 20, 24, and 48 h"
    },
    "population": "Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (bacterial cultures)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Antibiotic susceptibility (MIC) to colistin and gentamycin",
        "Bacterial cell membrane morphology (transmission electron microscopy)",
        "Biofilm formation (crystal violet quantification)",
        "Gene expression (qRT-PCR): bcsA, mrkA, luxS mRNAs"
    ],
    "main_findings": "K. pneumoniae showed a non-linear response in susceptibility to colistin and gentamycin after different Wi-Fi exposure periods. Transmission electron microscopy indicated morphological changes in the bacterial cell membrane within 24 h of Wi-Fi exposure. Biofilm formation was greater in Wi-Fi exposed bacteria versus control, with higher levels of bcsA, mrkA, and luxS mRNAs reported.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in provided text",
        "Specific quantitative results (e.g., MIC changes, biofilm magnitude, gene expression fold-changes) not provided in the abstract/excerpts",
        "SAR not reported; exposure described via field strength (6 V/m) and power flux density (0.05 W/m^2)"
    ],
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    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
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        "2.4 GHz",
        "Klebsiella pneumoniae",
        "carbapenem-resistant",
        "antibiotic susceptibility",
        "MIC",
        "colistin",
        "gentamycin",
        "biofilm",
        "quorum sensing",
        "bcsA",
        "mrkA",
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