The effect of exposure to non-ionising radiofrequency field on Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms

Environmental technology · 2022 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 816

Bacterial isolates were exposed to EMF at 1–5 GHz and 2.4 GHz for 3 or 24 hours. Exposure produced statistically significant increases in biofilm production mainly at 1, 2 and 4 GHz, while significant inhibition occurred at 3 and 5 GHz (with exceptions noted …

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental technology · 2022

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The effect of exposure to non-ionising radiofrequency field on Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms Dobroslava Bujňáková, Samuel Bucko, Marek Češkovič, Vladimír Kmeť, Lívia Karahutová. The effect of exposure to non-ionising radiofrequency field on Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm. Environ Technol. 2022 May 4;1-21. doi: 10.1080/09593330.2022.2074317. Abstract An environment with a higher accumulation of electromagnetic non-ionising radiofrequency (RF) emissions generated by various telecommunication, data transport and navigation devices (mobile phones, Wi-Fi, radar, etc.) may have a major impact on biological systems. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of an electromagnetic field (EMF) on the development of bacterial biofilm. Quantification of biofilm production was done by using microtiter plate assay. Bacterial isolates of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were exposed with EMF of frequencies 1-5 and 2.4 GHz with an exposure time 3 or 24 hours, respectively. Exposure of bacteria to EMF produced a statistically significant increase in biofilm production mainly at 1, 2 and 4 GHz, and in contrast, a significant inhibition of biofilm development occurred at frequencies 3 and 5 GHz, both with exception of Klebsiella oxytoca and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Wi-Fi operating at 2.4 GHz caused biofilm reduction. The results indicate that EMF exposure act on bacteria in both ways, depending on the frequency: as stressful by enhancing bacterial biofilm formation (under environmental stress, bacteria produce a polysaccharide matrix and aggregate to form biofilms to increase virulence and resistance), although some frequencies leading to biofilm damage could be caused by changes to the physicochemical properties of bacteria. Conclusions In conclusion, the results of our study revealed that EMF can stimulate/inhibit the ability of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to form biofilms, depending on the frequency and/or specific type of bacteria used. Based on the acquired results of the biofilm modulation (increasing/decreasing) EMF can also be expected to influencs the pathogenicity of microorganisms, since biofilm-associated bacteria are considered more resistant and difficult to treat; however, some results demonstrated EMF as a potential tool for biofilm removal, for example, on medical devices and biomaterials. Further studies are in progress (and need to be performed) to extend the current state of knowledge of the influence of EMF on microorganisms and to gather more information on other bacterial biological changeovers that may occur due to exposure to EMF, including antibiotic susceptibility (resistance) as a next substantial factor of bacterial pathogenicity. Undervaluing the problem of exposure to electromagnetic non-ionising RF radiation generated by various telecommunication and data transport as common part of the environment could lead to a further rise in infectious diseases or their complications. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typein_vitro

Effect directionmixed

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 3 or 24 hours

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Biofilm production/development in Escherichia coli
Biofilm production/development in Klebsiella oxytoca
Biofilm production/development in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Limitations

No SAR or field strength/dosimetry details reported in the abstract
Sample size and number of replicates not reported in the abstract
In vitro bacterial biofilm model; generalizability to real-world exposures not established in the abstract
Exceptions by species/frequency noted; effects depend on frequency and organism

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "telecommunication/data transport/navigation devices (mobile phones, Wi‑Fi, radar, etc.)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "3 or 24 hours"
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Biofilm production/development in Escherichia coli",
    "Biofilm production/development in Klebsiella oxytoca",
    "Biofilm production/development in Pseudomonas aeruginosa"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Bacterial isolates were exposed to EMF at 1–5 GHz and 2.4 GHz for 3 or 24 hours. Exposure produced statistically significant increases in biofilm production mainly at 1, 2 and 4 GHz, while significant inhibition occurred at 3 and 5 GHz (with exceptions noted for Klebsiella oxytoca and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Wi‑Fi at 2.4 GHz caused biofilm reduction.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "No SAR or field strength/dosimetry details reported in the abstract",
    "Sample size and number of replicates not reported in the abstract",
    "In vitro bacterial biofilm model; generalizability to real-world exposures not established in the abstract",
    "Exceptions by species/frequency noted; effects depend on frequency and organism"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "non-ionising",
    "electromagnetic field",
    "EMF",
    "biofilm",
    "Escherichia coli",
    "Klebsiella oxytoca",
    "Pseudomonas aeruginosa",
    "2.4 GHz",
    "Wi-Fi"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "school-wi-fi",
      "weight": 0.55,
      "reason": "Includes Wi‑Fi operating at 2.4 GHz and reports effects on biofilm production."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2022.2074317
PubMed: 35506486

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