AUTHOR=Wu Guangzhi , Xu Zhuo , Yu Yue , Zhang Minglei , Wang Shuaishuai , Duan Shuo , Liu Xilin TITLE=Biomaterials-based phototherapy for bacterial infections JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology VOLUME=15 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2024.1513850 DOI=10.3389/fphar.2024.1513850 ISSN=1663-9812 ABSTRACT=

Bacterial infections and antibiotic resistance are global health problems, and current treatments for bacterial infections still rely on the use of antibiotics. Phototherapy based on the use of a photosensitizer has high efficiency, a broad spectrum, strong selectivity, does not easily induce drug resistance, and is expected to become an effective strategy for the treatment of bacterial infections, particularly drug-resistant infections. This article reviews antimicrobial strategies of phototherapy based on photosensitizers, including photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), and their combination. These methods have significant application potential in combating multi-drug-resistant bacterial and biofilm infections, providing an alternative to traditional antibiotics and chemical antibacterial agents.