The use of nanomaterials for the mitigation of pathogenic biofilm formation

Aaron Elbourne, Vi Khanh Truong, Samuel Cheeseman, Piumie Rajapaksha, Sheeana Gangadoo, James Chapman, Russell J. Crawford

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

50 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)has been identified as one of the greatest threats to human health (Boucher et al., 2009; Bush et al., 2011; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013; Neu, 1992; Spellberg et al., 2008). Unfortunately, the current rise in AMR has made biofilm-related infections a primary health-care concern, since these biofilms can no longer be effectively treated using conventional antibiotic methods (Azeredo et al., 2017; Costerton, Stewart, & Greenberg, 1999; Tuson & Weibel, 2013). If this rise in resistance goes unchecked, a return to the “pre-biotic era” would render infections untreatable and would significantly impact current practice in surgery, intensive care, organ transplantation, neonatology and cancer treatment through major increases in morbidity and mortality (Boucher et al., 2009; Bush et al., 2011; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013; Neu, 1992; Spellberg et al., 2008). In response, many research programs have departed from the development of new antibiotics, but have rather moved towards the exploitation of nanotechnology in the quest for next-generation methods for the prevention of biofilm formation (Elbourne, Crawford, & Ivanova, 2017; Tripathy, Sen, Su, & Briscoe, 2017). This change has taken place because many nanotechnologies, such as in the formation of nanostructured surfaces, (Elbourne et al., 2017; Tripathy et al., 2017)nanoparticles (both soft-mater and solid based), (Liu et al., 2009; Veerapandian & Yun, 2011)and surface coatings, (Banerjee, Pangule, & Kane, 2011; Cheng, Xue, Zhang, Chen, & Jiang, 2008; Hasan, Crawford, & Ivanova, 2013; Knetsch & Koole, 2011; Yang, Neoh, Kang, Teo, & Rittschof, 2014; Zhao, Chu, Zhang, & Wu, 2009)among others, have been shown to have the capacity to overcome the limitations imposed by the current chemotherapeutic measures that are utilized by the medical community. The following chapter reviews recent advances in the utilization of antimicrobial nanotechnology, with an emphasis on the mitigation of biofilm formation.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNanotechnology
EditorsVolker Gurtler, Andrew S. Ball, Sarvesh Soni
Place of PublicationLondon, UK
PublisherAcademic Press Inc.
Chapter4
Pages61-92
Number of pages32
Volume46
ISBN (Print)9780128149928
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameMethods in Microbiology
Volume46
ISSN (Print)0580-9517

Keywords

  • Antimicrobial resistance
  • Bacteria
  • Biofilms
  • Medical implants
  • Nanostructured surfaces

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