Recent Progress in Polymer Research to Tackle Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance

Abstract

Global health is increasingly being threatened by the rapid emergence of drug-resistant microbes. The ability of these microbes to form biofilms has further exacerbated the scenario leading to notorious infections that are almost impossible to treat. For addressing this clinical threat, various antimicrobial polymers, polymer-based antimicrobial hydrogels and polymer-coated antimicrobial surfaces have been developed in the recent past. This review aims to discuss such polymer-based antimicrobial strategies with a focus on their current advancement in the field. Antimicrobial polymers, whose designs are inspired from antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), are described with an emphasis on structure-activity analysis. Additionally, antibiofilm activity and in vivo efficacy are delineated to elucidate the real potential of these antimicrobial polymers as possible therapeutics. Antimicrobial hydrogels, prepared from either inherently antimicrobial polymers or biocide-loaded into polymer-derived hydrogel matrix, are elaborated followed by various strategies to engineer polymer-coated antimicrobial surfaces. In the end, the current challenges are accentuated along with future directions for further expansion of the field toward tackling infections and antimicrobial resistance.

Influence of poly‐l‐lysine molecular weight on antibacterial efficacy in polymer multilayer films

“…These coatings can function in several different ways to prevent bacterial attachment and/or kill planktonic or surface‐attached bacteria, including contact killing and release‐based killing or other physicochemical interactions that prevent attachment (Fig. (A)) . In this work, we explored the properties of coatings developed using a promising antibacterial polymer, PLL, incorporated in LbL assembled films along with a biocompatible polyanion, HA.…”

“…With a minimal arsenal of newly approved antibiotics to combat common infections, antimicrobial polymers and polypeptides have gained interest as alternative therapeutics . These macromolecules typically act by disrupting bacterial cell membranes and are potentially less susceptible to resistance development in bacteria .…”

“…23 With a minimal arsenal of newly approved antibiotics to combat common infections, antimicrobial polymers and polypeptides have gained interest as alternative therapeutics. [24][25][26][27] These macromolecules typically act by disrupting bacterial cell membranes and are potentially less susceptible to resistance development in bacteria. 28 Additionally, many of these polymers have been shown to be active against gram-negative bacteria, 24,25 which are often more difficult to treat than gram-positive species.…”

Silk‐Based Antimicrobial Polymers as a New Platform to Design Drug‐Free Materials to Impede Microbial Infections

“…One of the most important parameters that can influence microbial adhesion and biofilm formation is related to the surface of medical devices . Herein, we assessed the surface morphology and topography of the multifunctional silk‐based films by SEM and AFM (Figure B,C).…”

“…As mentioned earlier, the prevention of bacterial infections by reducing bacteria adherence or inactivation is one of the strategies that needs to be further investigated . Since lower surface roughness could influence cell adherence as well as bacterial adherence, the viability and adherence of MRSA on the surface of the silk‐based films was investigated after 24 h growth ( Figure 6 ).…”