MIEDŹ ORAZ JEJ NANOCZĄSTKI JAKO ALTERNATYWA W ZWALCZANIU DROBNOUSTROJÓW.

The struggle against antibiotic-resistant microorganisms constitutes a real challenge for the contemporary medicine. Multidrug resistant (MDR) strains cause chronic, difficult to treat infections which more frequently emerge in healthcare nowadays. The abovementioned steadily increasing issue prompts a search for new solutions, which aim at reducing the spread of dangerous pathogens. Previous studies using metal nanoparticles have provided encouraging results. Interestingly, copper nanoparticles which have an antimicrobial effect against many bacteria, viruses or fungi, are particularly prominent in this group. In fact, copper is currently used as an antimicrobial material. Numerous healthcare facilities have replaced the existing equipment, or its components, with copper, or copper-coated items (door handles, bed frames, light switches). This, in turn, effectively reduces the occurrence of pathogens in healthcare environments, thus, limiting the spread of infections. Another vital aspect is the potential cytotoxicity of copper and their nanoparticles. Data obtained up to now have shown that metal nanoparticles present 7--50 times less toxicity than ionic forms. The knowledge regarding the safety of using nanoparticles in medicine is insufficient, therefore, further research is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]