Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the control of Staphylococcus spp

Abstract

The Staphylococcus bacteria cause several infections, S. aureus is the major species, expressing different virulence factors. Therefore, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) are nosocomial pathogens, mainly associated with biofilm formation in invasive medical devices. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and multidrug resistant (MDR) CoNS are widely distributed in the hospital environment, leading to infections that are difficult to treat. Thus, nanoparticles (NPs) are studied as an alternative in the control of these pathogens. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) stand out due to their different biological properties, broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, low toxicity, and use in combination with other drugs. Several studies with AgNPs evaluated in-vitro against S. aureus and MRSA validated the spectrum of action of the NPs. However, few studies attempted to explore the response of the CoNS, mainly in vivo studies. Research that explored the in vivo application of AgNPs against these bacteria helped to understand and better elucidate their activity on the skin through different biological models. Furthermore, the application of NPs is a viable alternative for controlling these bacteria, including MDR bacteria, in cases of skin infections by avoiding worsening the clinical condition and favoring tissue regeneration of the injured area.