NANOPARTICLES TO COMBAT ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE: A BEACON OF HOPE?

Dr. Protiti Bose*, Dr. Prabha Desikan, Dr. Neha Tiwari, Dr. Aseem Rangnekar, Dr. Zeba Khan and Dr. Nikita Panwalkar

ABSTRACT

Antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to both human health and the global economy. The World Health Organization has identified three highly resistant Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) spreading antimicrobial resistance worldwide through several mechanisms. Mostly the prevalent GNB of critical priority display antimicrobial resistance and are associated with serious and often fatal infections. Nanoparticles have emerged as one viable option to replace the lack of new antibiotics and are thus a strong beacon of hope for overcoming widespread drug resistance. NPs have been found to exhibit broad-spectrum antibacterial properties. Application of nanomedicine requires a clear understanding of the dynamics of nanoparticle interactions with hosts and bacteria at physical, immunological, and biological levels. In this review, the mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the novel uses of nanoscale functional materials as a superior alternative to traditional antibiotics are discussed. We addressed the potential, challenges, and benefits of using nanoparticles to fight AMR.

Keywords: antimicrobial resistance, gram-negative bacilli, nanoparticles, carbapenemase, oxidative stress.