Abstract
Injudicious use of antibiotics has been the main driver of severe bacterial non-susceptibility to commonly available antibiotics (known as drug resistance or antimicrobial resistance), a global threat to human health and healthcare. There is an increase in the incidence and levels of resistance to antibacterial drugs not only in nosocomial settings but also in community ones. The drying pipeline of new and effective antibiotics has further worsened the situation and is leading to a potentially “post-antibiotic era.” This requires novel and effective therapies and therapeutic agents for combating drug-resistant pathogenic microbes. Nanomaterials are emerging as potent antimicrobial agents with both bactericidal and potentiating effects reported against drug-resistant microbes. Among them, the photothermally active nanomaterials (PANs) are gaining attention for their broad-spectrum antibacterial potencies driven mainly by the photothermal effect, which is characterized by the conversion of absorbed photon energy into heat energy by the PANs. The current review capitalizes on the importance of using PANs as an effective approach for overcoming bacterial resistance to drugs. Various PANs leveraging broad-spectrum therapeutic antibacterial (both bactericidal and synergistic) potentials against drug-resistant pathogens have been discussed. The review also provides deeper mechanistic insights into the mechanisms of the action of PANs against a variety of drug-resistant pathogens with a critical evaluation of efflux pumps, cell membrane permeability, biofilm, and quorum sensing inhibition. We also discuss the use of PANs as drug carriers. This review also discusses possible cytotoxicities related to the therapeutic use of PANs and effective strategies to overcome this. Recent developments, success stories, challenges, and prospects are also presented.
Highlights
Recent years have witnessed a sharp increase in the incidence and magnitude of bacterial drug resistance [ known as antibiotic resistance (ABR), or antimicrobial resistance (AMR)] (Khare et al, 2021a,b; Tiwari et al, 2021)
We present an account of recent developments in the identification of potent photothermally active nanomaterials (PANs) and the exploration of PANbased photothermal therapy (PTT) to combat drug-resistant pathogens by targeting their main drug-resistant determinants
We have meticulously reviewed the literature and summarized the ongoing advances in the photothermal inactivation of drug-resistant bacterial pathogens using nanoparticles under broad-spectrum irradiation, i.e., ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light, with a potential approach for addressing the AMR problems
Summary
Recent years have witnessed a sharp increase in the incidence and magnitude of bacterial drug resistance [ known as antibiotic resistance (ABR), or antimicrobial resistance (AMR)] (Khare et al, 2021a,b; Tiwari et al, 2021). Han et al (2020a) developed copper-doped MOFs possessing enhanced photocatalytic activity and photothermal effects to treat Staphylococcus aureus-infected wounds under 660-nm light irradiation, which resulted in striking antibacterial efficiency (99.7%).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
