Drug delivery systems for infectious diseases

CACICEDO ML; ISLAN GA; GURMAN P; CASTRO GR

Drug delivery: an integrated clinical and engineering approach

Taylor & Francis

Año: 2017; p. 349 - 372

Nowadays new multidrug resistant bugs and unknown species of microorganisms are causing more than 10 million deaths yearly (WHO, May 2014). Infectious and communicable diseases (AIDS, Malaria, Measles, Polio and Tuberculosis)are responsible for about 55% of the deaths in developing countries. Infectious diseases have emerged and once they established express different resistant mechanisms that attempt against effective antibiotic pharmacotherapies. Therefore, new strategies to eradicate antibiotic resistant microorganisms are urgently needed. In this sense, nanotechnology, which can be defined as a group of technologies that enable manipulation of matter at the atomic-molecular level (1-100nm) is bringing new avenues to treat many old and emerging infectious diseases. The ability of  nano-objects to reach the deepest regions of tissues, to permeate along physiological barriers, and provide controlled release profile of antimicrobials and delivered stable molecules to the infection site are some novel tools that can enhance current antimicrobial treatment .             In the present chapter, new drug delivery systems with special attention in their application to some localized infections caused on lungs, intestine and skin, as well as systemic infections are summarized. Three pathologies are presented as models of recurrent infections and novel treatments based on micro, nanoparticles and patches for delivery of antibiotics are discussed.