Harnessing nanotechnology to combat antimicrobial-resistant pathogens: a multidisciplinary approach to strengthen global public health defense systems

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a crucial global health threat that reduces the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics and contributes to significant morbidity, mortality, and economic burdens, particularly in low-resource settings. This review harnesses the transformative potential of nanotechnology to mitigate the complex issues of AMR from a multidisciplinary perspective. Metal-based nanoparticles, such as silver, zinc oxide, and copper oxide, exhibit strong bactericidal activity through mechanisms including membrane disruption, reactive oxygen species generation, and the release of toxic metal ions. Carbon-based nanomaterials, such as graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, and carbon dots, further enhance antimicrobial efficacy owing to their high surface area and customizable functionalization. Smart nanocarriers, including liposomes, dendrimers, and polymeric nanoparticles, enable targeted drug delivery, co-delivery of synergistic agents, and controlled stimuli-responsive release, thereby improving therapeutic efficacy while limiting systemic toxicity. In addition, nanosensors with colorimetric, electrochemical, fluorescent, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy properties demonstrate significant promise for the rapid and sensitive diagnosis of resistant pathogens, including applications in point-of-care testing. Clinical and preclinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of nanoparticle-based treatments against multidrug-resistant infections, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, drug-resistant tuberculosis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, challenges such as toxicity concerns, manufacturing scalability, regulatory uncertainties, and environmental risks are significant issues. Despite these advances, their translation into clinical practice remains limited. Current evidence is largely derived from in vitro and animal studies, with relatively few human trials, and long-term safety data are lacking in this regard. Concerns persist regarding their toxicity, biodistribution, cost, regulatory frameworks, and potential environmental impacts. Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests that bacteria may also develop adaptive responses to nanoparticles. Collectively, these findings underscore the potential of nanotechnology in AMR management while emphasizing the critical need for systematic safety studies, clinical validation, and regulatory standardization. Nanotechnology holds significant potential for combating AMR; however, its clinical success and translation depend on bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and safe, equitable, and sustainable clinical application.