Nanostructured Approaches for the Targeted Delivery of Antibiotics in Difficult Infections

Title:Nanostructured Approaches for the Targeted Delivery of Antibiotics in Difficult Infections

Volume: 21 Issue: 1

Author(s): Carmen Curutiu, Valentina Grumezescu, Mariana C. Chifiriuc, Keng-Shiang Huang, Florin Iordache, Yu-Mei Lin and Alina M. Holban

Affiliation:

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

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.

Cite this article as:

Curutiu Carmen, Grumezescu Valentina, Chifiriuc C. Mariana, Huang Keng-Shiang, Iordache Florin, Lin Yu-Mei and Holban M. Alina, Nanostructured Approaches for the Targeted Delivery of Antibiotics in Difficult Infections, Current Organic Chemistry 2017; 21 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1385272820666160510170450