Multidrug resistant bacterial (MDR) infections constitute one of the greatest health challenges of the 21st century, with important health and economic implications for patients and healthcare systems. MDR bacteria can become resistant by means of different mechanisms, such as their intracellular location, which limits the access to many antibiotics.

The use of various combinations of antibiotics and new drug delivery systems are promising strategies in the fight against MDR bacteria. Currently, much progress has been made in the development of different types of nanocarriers, such as polymeric nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, carbon nanotubes, solid lipid nanoparticles or inorganic nanoparticles, mainly metallic nanoparticles prepared with silver, gold and other materials.

New immunotherapy strategies based on the innate response are linked to the interaction of nanosystems with intrinsic pathways, which can lead to an immunomodulatory therapy. Thus, nanodrug delivery systems can act as immunomodulators for their potential in immune-mediated treatments against MDR bacterial infections, such as tuberculosis.

Significant advances have also been made in the development of functionalized nanomaterials for the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial infections, including those produced by MDR bacteria. For this purpose, inorganic or lipidic nanoparticles are associated with inorganic and organic supports to improve their stability and antibacterial activity. Even more, stimuli-responsive systems allow the vectorization of antibiotics to the site of infection.

The objective of this Research Topic is to delve into the latest advances in the research on new Drug Delivery Systems focused on the treatment and/or diagnosis of infections caused by MDR bacteria, with special emphasis in those with immunomodulatory activity.

Topic Editor Anushree Chatterjee is co-founder and CEO of Sachi Bioworks. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.

Submit your idea

Impact

Frontiers in Immunology

Participating Journals

Impact