The fight against multidrug-resistant organisms: The role of ZnO crystalline defects

Abstract

This article reports the excellent antimicrobial response of nanoparticulate ZnO against multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). We demonstrate that the enhanced antimicrobial activity against MDROs depends on the crystalline defects of ZnO. Hence, this work provides insights on the ZnO-microorganism interactions, and we pose combined physico-chemical action mechanisms against resistant bacteria.

Keywords: Action mechanisms; Antimicrobial properties; MDROs; Nanoparticles; ZnO.