Recent advancements in nanotechnology-based bacteriophage delivery strategies against bacterial ocular infections

Antibiotic resistance is growing as a critical challenge in a variety of disease conditions including ocular in-fections leading to disastrous effects on the human eyes. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) mediated ocular in-fections are very common affecting different parts of the eye viz. vitreous chamber, conjunctiva, cornea, anterior and posterior chambers, tear duct, and eyelids. Blepharitis, dacryocystitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis, endoph-thalmitis, and orbital cellulitis are some of the commonly known ocular infections caused by S. aureus. Some of these infections are so fatal that they could cause bilateral blindness like panophthalmitis and orbital cellulitis, which is caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistance S. aureus (VRSA). The treatment of S. aureus infections with known antibiotics is becoming gradually difficult because of the devel-opment of resistance against multiple antibiotics. Apart from the different combinations and formulation stra-tegies, bacteriophage therapy is growing as an effective alternative to treat such infections. Although the superiority of bacteriophage therapy is well established, yet physical factors (high temperatures, acidic pH, UV -rays, and ionic strength) and pharmaceutical barriers (poor stability, low in-vivo retention, controlled and tar-geted delivery, immune system neutralization, etc.) have the greatest influence on the viability of phage virions (also phage proteins). A variety of Nanotechnology based formulations such as polymeric nanoparticles, lipo-somes, dendrimers, nanoemulsions, and nanofibres have been recently reported to overcome the above -mentioned obstacles. In this review, we have compiled all these recent reports and discussed bacteriophage-based nanoformulations techniques for the successful treatment of ocular infections caused by multidrug-resistant S. aureus and other bacteria.

Automated summary

Antibiotic resistance poses a critical challenge in ocular infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, leading to serious effects on the eyes. The development of resistance against multiple antibiotics makes the treatment of S. aureus infections increasingly difficult. Bacteriophage therapy, especially with nanotechnology-based formulations, shows promise in overcoming the obstacles and successfully treating multidrug-resistant S. aureus infections.