Magnetite Nanoshuttles for Fighting Staphylococcus aureus Infections: A Recent Review

Curr Top Med Chem. 2015;15(16):1589-95. doi: 10.2174/1568026615666150414152431.

Abstract

In recent years, severe infections caused by the Gram positive pathogen Staphylococcus aureus have emerged both in community and clinical settings. The increased infection rates are explained by the versatility and resistance of this pathogen, which produces a wide arsenal of virulence factors, organize within difficult to eradicate biofilms and displays various resistance genes, leading current antibiotic therapies ineffective. Nanotechnological progress highlights the impact of magnetic nanoparticles in the current and future diagnosis and therapy procedures of the infectious diseases. These nanostructures could be used as efficient carriers for many natural and synthetic antimicrobials, which may be further utilized for the development of soluble anti-Staphylococcal formulations and improved surfaces and coatings of different uses, optimized to reduce attachment and biofilm formation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles / therapeutic use*
  • Nanomedicine / methods
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / growth & development
  • Staphylococcus aureus / pathogenicity
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles