Nanotechnology based therapeutic approaches: an advanced strategy to target the biofilm of ESKAPE pathogens

Abstract

Bacterial infection by ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter spp.) pathogens are one of the major health concerns and has caused a global crisis in the healthcare sectors, leading to mortality, morbidity, and socioeconomic loss. The overuse and abuse of antibiotics has led to an increased number of MDR bacteria. Thus, conventional antibiotics have failed to show notable improvement in bacterial infections. Biofilm formations make pathogens more recalcitrant than their planktonic form, and are becoming more challenging to treat with conventional antibiotics. To overcome the challenges of the biofilm-associated chronic infections of ESKAPE pathogens, a new therapeutic strategy is urgently needed. Recently, nanomaterial-based therapies have emerged as a novel approach to combat the biofilm infection of ESKAPE pathogens. The size, shape and other physicochemical properties of nanomaterials play a significant role in targeting the biofilm and overcoming the recalcitrant bacterial infection. Herein, we give a brief review about the formation and structure of biofilms of ESKAPE pathogens and the quorum-sensing (QS) mechanism in biofilm formation. Subsequently, we discuss the conventional methods and strategies for the treatment of biofilms and their limitations. Later, we highlight different strategies for the fabrication of nanoparticles, which include solid nanoparticles, conjugated nanoparticles and nanocarrier systems that can be used to target the bacterial biofilm. We also discuss different interaction mechanisms through which nanoparticles disrupt the biofilm and kill the sessile and persister cells. Therapeutic applications of nanomaterials in biomedical fields are also systematically reviewed. Lastly, we discuss the current status and future perspectives of nanotechnology. We believe that this article provides insights into the advancement of nanotechnology, and offers an alternative therapeutic strategy to treat biofilm-associated infections.