The intervention of Nanotechnology against epithelial fungal diseases

HIGA L; SCHILRREFF P; PEREZ AP; MORILLA MJ; ROMERO E

Journal of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering

American Scientific Publishers.

Lugar: Strasbourg; Año: 2013 p. 70 - 88

2157-9083

Fungal infections can attack epithelial tissues and, according to the immunological state of thepatient, some of them invade deeper organs, becoming seriously life compromising. Besides,bloodstream and local infections associated with intravascular devices constitute a significant problemassociated with increased mortality. Topical therapy is desirable since, in addition to targeting the siteof infection, it reduces the risk of systemic side effects and increases patient compliance. In thisreview we describe the pros and cons of using nano-objects that being toxic in nature could be used tocover surfaces of medical devices, or can act as carriers for targeted delivery of antifungals to skin.There were also included nano-objects to improve the ocular delivery of antifungals, classicallysuffering from ineffective topical administration, difficult access for systemic medication or localinvasive administration. The new preclinical developments of nanoparticulate agents againstcutaneous and ocular mycosis are grouped in three main sections: 1) In vitro antifungal activity ofmetallic nanoparticles, 2) In vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of non metallic nanoparticles 3) Oculardelivery of non metallic nanoparticles.