Near-Infrared Light Brightens Bacterial Disinfection: Recent Progress and Perspectives
Qinyu Han1, Jun Wei Lau1, Thang Cong Do1
1Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371, Singapore.
Abstract:
Bacterial infection is a universal threat to public health, which not only causes many serious diseases but also exacerbates the condition of the patients of cancer, pandemic diseases, e.g., COVID-19, and so on. Antibiotic therapy has been used to be an effective way for common bacterial disinfection. However, due to the misuse and abuse of antibiotics, more and more antibiotic-resistant bacteria have emerged as fatal threats to human beings. At present, more than 700,000 patients die every year with bacterial infections because of the lack of effective treatment. It is frustrating that the pace of development of antibiotics lags far behind that of bacterial resistance, with an estimation of 10 million deaths per year from bacterial infections after 2050. Facing such a rigorous challenge, approaches for bacterial disinfection are urgently demanded. The recently developed near-infrared (NIR) light-irradiation-based bacterial disinfection is highly promising to shatter bacterial resistance by employing NIR light-responsive materials as mediums to generate antibacterial factors such as heat, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and so on. This treatment approach is proved to be a potent candidate to accurately realize spatiotemporal control, while effectively eradicating multidrug-resistant bacteria and inhibiting antibiotic resistance. Herein, we summarize the latest progress of NIR light-based bacterial disinfection. Ultimately, current challenges and perspectives in this field are discussed.
Insights
Near-infrared (NIR) light-based disinfection offers a promising solution to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This innovative approach uses light-responsive materials to generate antibacterial factors, overcoming treatment challenges.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Infectious Diseases
- Materials Science
Background:
- Bacterial infections pose a significant global health threat, exacerbated by rising antibiotic resistance.
- Current antibiotic treatments are becoming less effective, leading to millions of deaths annually.
- The development of new antibiotics has not kept pace with bacterial resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the latest advancements in near-infrared (NIR) light-based bacterial disinfection.
- To highlight the potential of NIR light-responsive materials in combating antibiotic resistance.
- To discuss the challenges and future perspectives in this emerging field.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive materials to generate antibacterial factors (e.g., heat, reactive oxygen species).
- Employing spatiotemporal control for targeted bacterial eradication.
- Summarizing recent research progress in NIR light-based disinfection strategies.
Main Results:
- NIR light-based disinfection shows high potential in eradicating multidrug-resistant bacteria.
- This method offers precise spatiotemporal control over the disinfection process.
- It effectively generates antibacterial factors upon NIR light irradiation.
Conclusions:
- NIR light-based disinfection is a promising strategy to address the challenge of antibiotic resistance.
- Further research is needed to overcome current challenges and fully realize its clinical potential.
- This approach could revolutionize bacterial disinfection and patient care.
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