Nanotechnology Involved in Treating Urinary Tract Infections: An Overview
Andreea Crintea, Rahela Carpa, Andrei Otto Mitre, Robert Istvan Petho, Vlad-Florin Chelaru, Sebastian-Mihail Nădășan, Lidia Neamți, A Duţu
Abstract
Considered as the most frequent contaminations that do not require hospitalization, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are largely known to cause significant personal burdens on patients. Although UTIs overall are highly preventable health issues, the recourse to antibiotics as drug treatments for these infections is a worryingly spread approach that should be addressed and gradually overcome in a contemporary, modernized healthcare system. With a virtually alarming global rise of antibiotic resistance overall, nanotechnologies may prove to be the much-needed 'lifebuoy' that will eventually suppress this prejudicial phenomenon. This review aims to present the most promising, currently known nano-solutions, with glimpses on clinical and epidemiological aspects of the UTIs, prospective diagnostic instruments, and non-antibiotic treatments, all of these engulfed in a comprehensive overview.