Sonic Stimulation and Low Power Microwave Radiation Can Modulate Bacterial Virulence Towards Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

© 2019, Bentham Science Publishers. Background: In view of the global threat of antimicrobial resistance, novel alternative approaches to deal with infectious bacteria are warranted, in addition to the conventional invasive therapeutic approaches. Objective: This study aimed at investigating whether exposure to sonic stimulation or microwave radiation can affect virulence of pathogenic bacteria toward the model nematode host Caenorhabditis elegans. Methods: Caenorhabditis elegans worms infected with different pathogenic bacteria were subjected to sonic treatment to investigate whether such sound treatment can exert any therapeutic effect on the infected worms. Virulence of microwave exposed bacteria was also assessed using this nematode host. Results: Sound corresponding to 400 Hz, and the divine sound ‘Om’ conferred protective effect on C. elegans in face of bacterial infection, particularly that caused by Serratia marcescens or Staphylococcus aureus. The observed effect seemed to occur due to influence of sound on bacteria, and not on the worm. Additionally, effect of microwave exposure on bacterial virulence was also investigated, wherein microwave exposure could reduce virulence of S. aureus towards C. elegans. Conclusion: Sonic stimulation/ microwave exposure was demonstrated to be capable of modulating bacterial virulence.