Acute respiratory infections place a huge burden on society in terms of disability, premature mortality, and also direct health service costs (drugs prescriptions) and the indirect costs related to lost production. Therefore, prevention of respiratory infections is an important goal for public health interventions. In this context, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) represent an interesting perspective for research and development by virtue of their favorable antimicrobial activity against many respiratory pathogens. One of the latest innovations in the biotech field discussed in this review is the creation of a biocompatible, biogel-based nasal filter enriched with AgNPs. Compared to traditional personal protective equipment (PPE), this type of nasal filter has the advantage of combining the antibacterial and antiviral activity of AgNPs with the common filtration capacity shared by other PPEs. This dual mechanism means that AgNP-enriched nasal filters serve to reduce the infecting microbial-load and protect the lower airways, without interfering with the normal respiratory capacity (airflow-resistance <5%). Given their antimicrobial characteristics and performance, AgNP-enriched nasal filters can meet many community and occupational currently unmet needs in the prevention of airborne infectious diseases, by ensuring an excellent respiratory-comfort and a continuous day-use.

Biotech innovations in the prevention of respiratory infectious diseases

Cento, Valeria;
2017-01-01

Abstract

Acute respiratory infections place a huge burden on society in terms of disability, premature mortality, and also direct health service costs (drugs prescriptions) and the indirect costs related to lost production. Therefore, prevention of respiratory infections is an important goal for public health interventions. In this context, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) represent an interesting perspective for research and development by virtue of their favorable antimicrobial activity against many respiratory pathogens. One of the latest innovations in the biotech field discussed in this review is the creation of a biocompatible, biogel-based nasal filter enriched with AgNPs. Compared to traditional personal protective equipment (PPE), this type of nasal filter has the advantage of combining the antibacterial and antiviral activity of AgNPs with the common filtration capacity shared by other PPEs. This dual mechanism means that AgNP-enriched nasal filters serve to reduce the infecting microbial-load and protect the lower airways, without interfering with the normal respiratory capacity (airflow-resistance <5%). Given their antimicrobial characteristics and performance, AgNP-enriched nasal filters can meet many community and occupational currently unmet needs in the prevention of airborne infectious diseases, by ensuring an excellent respiratory-comfort and a continuous day-use.
2017
Airways protection
Disease prevention
Nasal filter
Personal protective equipment
Respiratory infections
Silver nanoparticles
Biotechnology
Community-Acquired Infections
Cost of Illness
Cross Infection
Filtration
Gels
Humans
Metal Nanoparticles
Occupational Diseases
Personal Protective Equipment
Respiratory Tract Infections
Silver
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11699/65955
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