Highly efficient and durable antimicrobial nanocomposite textiles

Therapeutic textiles: A promising approach for human skin dysbiosis?

The close interaction between skin and clothing has become an attractive cornerstone for the development of therapeutic textiles able to alleviate skin disorders, namely those correlated to microbiota dysregulation. Skin microbiota imbalance is known in several skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea, acne and hidradenitis suppurative (HS). Such microbiota dysregulation is usually correlated with inflammation, discomfort and pruritus. Although conventional treatments, that is, the administration of steroids and antibiotics, have shown some efficacy in treating and alleviating these symptoms, there are still disadvantages that need to be overcome. These include their long-term usage with side effects negatively impacting resident microbiota members, antibiotic resistance and the elevated rate of recurrence. Remarkably, therapeutic textiles as a non-pharmacological measure have emerged as a promising strategy to treat, alleviate the symptoms and control the severity of many skin diseases. This systematic review showcases for the first time the effects of therapeutic textiles on patients with skin dysbiosis, focusing on efficacy, safety, adverse effects and antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The main inclusion criteria were clinical trials performed in patients with skin dysbiosis who received treatment involving the use of therapeutic textiles. Although there are promising outcomes regarding clinical parameters, safety and adverse effects, there is still a lack of information about the impact of therapeutic textiles on the skin microbiota of such patients. Intensive investigation and corroboration with clinical trials are needed to strengthen, define and drive the real benefit and the ideal biomedical application of therapeutic textiles.

Antimicrobials: An update on new strategies to diversify treatment for bacterial infections

Ninety-five years after Fleming's discovery of penicillin, a bounty of antibiotic compounds have been discovered, modified, or synthesised. Diversification of target sites, improved stability and altered activity spectra have enabled continued antibiotic efficacy, but overwhelming reliance and misuse has fuelled the global spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). An estimated 1.27 million deaths were attributable to antibiotic resistant bacteria in 2019, representing a major threat to modern medicine. Although antibiotics remain at the heart of strategies for treatment and control of bacterial diseases, the threat of AMR has reached catastrophic proportions urgently calling for fresh innovation. The last decade has been peppered with ground-breaking developments in genome sequencing, high throughput screening technologies and machine learning. These advances have opened new doors for bioprospecting for novel antimicrobials. They have also enabled more thorough exploration of complex and polymicrobial infections and interactions with the healthy microbiome. Using models of infection that more closely resemble the infection state in vivo, we are now beginning to measure the impacts of antimicrobial therapy on host/microbiota/pathogen interactions. However new approaches are needed for developing and standardising appropriate methods to measure efficacy of novel antimicrobial combinations in these contexts. A battery of promising new antimicrobials is now in various stages of development including co-administered inhibitors, phages, nanoparticles, immunotherapy, anti-biofilm and anti-virulence agents. These novel therapeutics need multidisciplinary collaboration and new ways of thinking to bring them into large scale clinical use.

Enhancement of antibacterial and UV protection properties of blended wool/acrylic and silk fabrics by dyeing with the extract of Mimusops elengi leaves and metal salts

In response to the heightened awareness of infectious diseases and the growing emphasis on personal protection in daily life, the utilization of natural bioresources for textile fabric dyeing has garnered substantial research attention. This is particularly due to their ability to confer antibacterial and UV protection properties to fabrics. In this study, the dyeing properties of Mimusops elengi Linn extract, alone and mordanted, were evaluated on blended wool/acrylic and silk fabrics, along with an assessment of their antibacterial and UV protection characteristics. The dyed fabrics exhibited good color strength and color fastness. Quantitative assessment of antibacterial activity was conducted using the reduction percentage test, while UV protection properties were determined through the measurement of Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF). Aqueous extract alone, when applied to blended wool/acrylic fabric, demonstrated an impressive 99.88 % reduction against Staphylococcus aureus, and 48.33 % for silk fabric, albeit less effective against Escherichia coli. Notably, when fabrics were dyed with a combination of leaves extract and various metal salt mordants, a substantial improvement in antibacterial properties was observed. Zinc and copper salts, in particular, exhibited the ability to enhance antibacterial properties to almost 100 % against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in both blended wool/acrylic and silk fabrics. Concurrently, this combination contributed to an increase in the UV protection property of both fabrics. The findings underscore the potential of plant-based natural dye for blended wool/acrylic and silk fabrics, imparting antimicrobial and UV protection properties. This has significant implications in preventing the spread of infections and skin diseases, emphasizing the vital role of such textiles in promoting health and well-being.

Advancing Antimicrobial Textiles: A Comprehensive Study on Combating ESKAPE Pathogens and Ensuring User Safety

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, ESKAPE pathogens, present a significant and alarming threat to public health and healthcare systems. This study addresses the urgent need to combat antimicrobial resistance by exploring alternative ways to reduce the health and cost implications of infections caused by these pathogens. To disrupt their transmission, integrating antimicrobial textiles into personal protective equipment (PPE) is an encouraging avenue. Nevertheless, ensuring the effectiveness and safety of these textiles remains a persistent challenge. To achieve this, we conduct a comprehensive study that systematically compares the effectiveness and potential toxicity of five commonly used antimicrobial agents. To guide decision making, a MULTIMOORA method is employed to select and rank the optimal antimicrobial textile finishes. Through this approach, we determine that silver nitrate is the most suitable choice, while a methoxy-terminated quaternary ammonium compound is deemed less favorable in meeting the desired criteria. The findings of this study offer valuable insights and guidelines for the development of antimicrobial textiles that effectively address the requirements of effectiveness, safety, and durability. Implementing these research outcomes within the textile industry can significantly enhance protection against microbial infections, contribute to the improvement of public health, and mitigate the spread of infectious diseases.