Nanofibers Offer Alternative Ways to the Treatment of Skin Infections

Injury to the skin causes a breach in the protective layer surrounding the body. Many pathogens are resistant to antibiotics, rendering conventional treatment less effective. This led to the use of alternative antimicrobial compounds, such as silver ions, in skin treatment. In this review nanofibers...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: T. D. J. Heunis, L. M. T. Dicks
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2010-01-01
Series:Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2010/510682
Description
Summary:Injury to the skin causes a breach in the protective layer surrounding the body. Many pathogens are resistant to antibiotics, rendering conventional treatment less effective. This led to the use of alternative antimicrobial compounds, such as silver ions, in skin treatment. In this review nanofibers, and the incorporation of natural antimicrobial compounds in these scaffolds, are discussed as an alternative way to control skin infections. Electrospinning as a technique to prepare nanofibers is discussed. The possibility of using these structures as drug delivery systems is investigated.
ISSN:1110-7243
1110-7251