Abstract

Despite the increasing number of natural and synthetic antimicrobial agents, the prevalence of severe infections, produced by antibiotic resistant pathogens or involving biofilm embedded bacteria continues to emerge. Although antibiotics are still the only choice for treating infections, either in unique or in combined therapeutic schemes, a series of limitations related to the physico-chemical properties of the drug, the host response and the particularities of the infectious agent should be surpassed. A great contribution is brought by the recent advances made on the nanotechnological field regarding the development of efficient drug delivery systems. Nanostructurated shuttles for the targeted, prolonged and controlled release of antibiotics are increasing their therapeutic efficiency, while reducing the required active doses and consequently the adverse effects on the host. This review highlights the main types of nanostructures used for improving the efficiency of antibiotics active against difficult to treat infections, such as those caused by resistant strains, biofilms and intracellular bacteriae.

Keywords: Antimicrobial nanosystems, severe infections, biofilms, intracellular bacteria, antibiotics.

Graphical Abstract