Review of Light-Activated Antimicrobial Nanoparticle–Polymer Composites for Biomedical Devices

Nosocomial infections are a significant threat to public health that leads to substantial morbidity and mortality. The emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms have compounded the complexity of managing these infections, highlighting the urgent need for innovative and effective strategies to combat them. Photostimuli-responsive nanomaterials have emerged as promising tools for coating biomedical devices and tools against nosocomial infections due to their ability to selectively target and kill pathogenic bacteria and fungi. It is feasible to develop antibacterial surfaces by integrating photothermal agents (PTAs), photodynamic agents (PDAs), and both PTAs and PDAs into coatings. When exposed to light, PTAs generate heat that can be used to kill bacteria, while PDAs emit reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can also be used to kill bacteria. The combination of photothermal and photodynamic therapies produces a synergistic effect in which the death of bacteria is boosted in comparison with the use of each individual therapy. These coatings have the potential to provide enhanced bacterial control for a number of biomedical devices, including implants, catheters, meshes, and wound dressings. The utilization of antimicrobial nanomaterials offers a promising approach for reducing the risk of infections associated with the use of these devices.