Antimicrobial Nanotechnology in Preventing the Transmission of Infectious Disease

Abstract

Infections acquired in the hospital are one of the greatest threats to public health by increasing the morbidity and mortality of affected patients. In this way, it is necessary to implement robust and innovative control measures that prevent the formation of biofilms and the dissemination inside hospital areas. Thus, nanotechnology offers innovative solutions through the design and development of nanosurfaces capable of reducing the transmission, virulence, and infectivity of pathogenic microorganisms within medical care. In this order of ideas, the methods and protocols for evaluating nanomaterials functionalized with bioactive molecules applied to surfaces and medical devices acquire radical importance in order to determine activity and safety. For this reason the objective of this chapter is to make a comprehensive analysis of this interesting approach, in order to develop alternatives for control and prevention of infectious disease with low toxicity and an adequate safety margin, which allows the implementation of hospital environments more biosafety and with greater protection for communities.