Progress on utilizing hyperthermia for mitigating bacterial infections

Recovery from systemic or local bacterial infections can be lengthy and costly, with the clinical challenges being further complicated when bacteria acquire resistance to current antibiotics. Hyperthermia offers new mechanisms for removing bacteria via ablation, or sensitising them to chemical agents. The first part of this review provides a background on the bacterial biofilms, their response to hyperthermia, and acquired resistance to antibiotics, followed by the clinical challenges they present in managing infections associated with soft tissues and biomedical implants. The second part of the review discusses the thermal modalities used to combat infections, including radiofrequency, ultrasound, high-intensity focussed ultrasound, microwave thermotherapy, and photothermal and magnetic nanoparticles (NP). The overall aim of this review is to demonstrate the tremendous potential of hyperthermia for mitigating bacterial infections and foster new research ventures to help remedy these challenging occurrences.