Magnetic nanoparticles: an emerging nano-based tool to fight against viral infections

Viral infections have threatened public health for a long time and have severely impacted socio-economic development. Traditional diagnostic and therapeutic methods are not enough to control the viral contagions that have been realized by numerous pandemics. Thus, it is necessary to develop novel diagnostic methods, as well as therapeutic strategies against the existing and emerging viruses. The advent of nanotechnology has enabled us to think differentially about the management of viral diseases. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are a class of nanomaterials that have extensively been used in different biological applications. They have also shown their potential as active antimicrobial agents against several bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. Here, we would like to apprise the scientific community about the use of MNPs as a novel tool for viral diagnostics and antiviral applications. This review summarizes the advances in the clinical diagnosis, detection, and therapeutic applications of magnetic nanoparticles against viral infections.