Nanotechnology-A New Frontier in Medical Microbiology

Nanotechnology relates to microbiology at a number of levels as the microbial entities are nano-machines. In the second half of this decade, nanotechnology expanding its applications in the field of medical microbiology. Nanotechnology is clinically appropriate and retains the potential to be valuable in the diagnosis of general and microbial infections. The rapid detection of pathogenic microbes at the point of care is extremely critical. The application of nanoparticles permits for the detection of infectious pathogens in small sample volumes directly in a sensitive, specific, and rapid format at lower costs than current in-use technologies. A bio-conjugated nanoparticle-based bioassay for in situ pathogen quantification can detect a single microbe. The waveguide technology is an emergent area in the medical microbiology for the fast and successful diagnosis of infectious diseases. Nanotechnology is demonstrated for the detection of Avian influenza virus H5N1, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), HIV, and Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) Coronavirus in clinical samples with a great degree of sensitivity. Nanoparticle-based bio-barcode amplification (BCA) assay is being applied for early detection of HIV-1 capsid antigen. The gold nanoparticle interferometer sensor has been validated for detection of Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and silver nanorod array substrates can detect spectral differences between the viral strains. A nanoparticle label technology with highly fluorescent chelated nanoparticle label has been developed for Adenovirus and Human papillomavirus (HPV). The nano-gold labelled amplification is a novel technique for the detection of Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, and Hepatitis E virus in patient’s samples. Norovirus is a leading cause of gastroenteritis and nanospray mass spectrometry is evaluated for norovirus detection. With the manifestation and intensification of microbes resistant to antibiotics, silver nanoparticle antiseptics have been evaluated for the antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. All these technologies would have to be assessed in clinical settings prior to their complete admission is highly recommended.