Inorganic Antimicrobial Materials.

Abstract

Infectious diseases caused by various pathogens pose a major threat throughout human history. While antibiotics have saved many lives from infections, the rise of antibiotic resistance has reduced their effectiveness. Before the advent of antibiotics, metals were used as antimicrobial agents. Metals and other inorganic materials exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity through mechanisms distinct from traditional antibiotics, and are capable of killing antibiotic-resistant strains. In this article, we review various inorganic antimicrobial materials and their mechanisms of action, and discuss potential strategies to combat antibiotic resistance.