Targeting Biofilms with Nanoparticles: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications.

Abstract

Biofilm-associated infections represent one of the greatest challenges in modern medicine due to their inherent resistance to antibiotics and host immune responses. The dense extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) and altered bacterial physiology within biofilms make treatment extremely difficult, contributing to chronic and recurrent infections in clinical settings. Nanoparticles have emerged as promising therapeutic agents because of their unique physicochemical properties, enhanced surface reactivity, and ability to penetrate biofilm matrices. This review summarizes the structural complexity of biofilms, the limitations of conventional antimicrobial therapies, and the mechanisms by which nanoparticles exert anti-biofilm actions. It further discusses the types of nanoparticles explored, current clinical applications, safety considerations, and future prospects for integrating nanotechnology into routine clinical management of biofilm-associated infections.