Nanotechnology-based antimicrobials and delivery systems for biofilm-infection control

Chem Soc Rev. 2019 Jan 21;48(2):428-446. doi: 10.1039/c7cs00807d.

Abstract

Bacterial-infections are mostly due to bacteria in an adhering, biofilm-mode of growth and not due to planktonically growing, suspended-bacteria. Biofilm-bacteria are much more recalcitrant to conventional antimicrobials than planktonic-bacteria due to (1) emergence of new properties of biofilm-bacteria that cannot be predicted on the basis of planktonic properties, (2) low penetration and accumulation of antimicrobials in a biofilm, (3) disabling of antimicrobials due to acidic and anaerobic conditions prevailing in a biofilm, and (4) enzymatic modification or inactivation of antimicrobials by biofilm inhabitants. In recent years, new nanotechnology-based antimicrobials have been designed to kill planktonic, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, but additional requirements rather than the mere killing of suspended bacteria must be met to combat biofilm-infections. The requirements and merits of nanotechnology-based antimicrobials for the control of biofilm-infection form the focus of this Tutorial Review.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / drug effects
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / physiology
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / physiology
  • Humans
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Nanotechnology / methods*

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Drug Carriers