Layers of ways to control drug release

Abstract

Drug Delivery When people overuse antibiotics, microbes can develop resistance. In a setting such as a hospital, where bacteria may accumulate on the surfaces of medical devices, it is important to be able to administer antibiotics on demand, without overusing them. Zhuk et al. show how films made from tannic acid and one of three antibiotics can decrease antibiotic use. They created a film that does not release any antibiotic at a pH of 7.4, but which does release it when it is exposed to Staphylococcus epidermidis or Escherichia coli , which acidify their local environments. The release depends on the antibiotic used, the film fabrication method, and the overall thickness of the film, providing multiple ways to control antibiotic delivery. ACS Nano 10.1021/nn500674g (2014).