Globally, chronic
wounds impose a notable burden to patients and healthcare systems. Such skin
wounds are readily subjected to bacteria that provoke
inflammation and hence challenge the healing process. Furthermore, bacteria induce
infection impeding re-epithelialization and
collagen synthesis. With an estimated global market of $20.4 billion by 2021, appropriate
wound dressing materials e.g. those composed of
biopolymers originating from nature, are capable of alleviating the
infection incidence and of accelerating the healing process. Particularly, biopolymeric nanofibrous dressings are biocompatible and mostly biodegradable and biomimic the extracellular matrix structure. Such nanofibrous dressings provide a high surface area and the ability to deliver
antibiotics and
antibacterial agents locally into the
wound milieu to control infection. In this regard, with the dangerous evolution of
antibiotic resistant bacteria,
antibiotic delivery systems are being gradually replaced with antibacterial biohybrid nanofibrous
wound dressings. This emerging class of
wound dressings comprises biopolymeric nanofibers containing antibacterial nanoparticles, nature-derived compounds and biofunctional agents. Here, the most recent (since 2015) developments of antibacterial biopolymeric nanofibrous
wound dressings, particularly those made of biohybrids, are reviewed and their antibacterial efficiency is evaluated based on a comprehensive literature analysis. Lastly, the prospects and challenges are discussed to draw a roadmap for further progresses and to open up future research avenues in this area. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: With a global market of $20.4 billion by 2021, skin
wound dressings are a crucial segment of the
wound care industry. As an advanced class of bioactive
wound dressing materials, natural polymeric nanofibers loaded with
antibacterial agents, e.g. antimicrobial nanoparticles/
ions, nature-derived compounds and biofunctional agents, have shown a remarkable potential for replacement of their classic counterparts. Also, given the expanding concern regarding
antibiotic resistant bacteria, such biohybrid nanofibrous
wound dressings can outperform classical drug delivery systems. Here, an updated overview of the most recent (since 2015) developments of antibacterial biopolymeric nanofibrous
wound dressings is presented. In this review, while discussing about the antibacterial efficiency of such systems, the prospects and challenges are highlighted to draw a roadmap for further progresses in this area.