Use of nanotechnology in diagnosis and cure of mycotic infections

Abstract

The high rate of mycotic infections is posing a threat as it causes a high clinical and economic burden on the global population. The application of rapid diagnosis and effective treatment methods is important in handling fungal infections. Conventional methods of diagnosis and cure are time-consuming and less accurate. There is a need to employ modern ways like nanotechnology to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and effective management of infections. Different nanotechniques, such as the use of nanoparticles, quantum dots (QDs), nanowires (NWs), nanorods, nanobarcodes, nanoprobes, nanosensors, and nanotags, have been developed in the last decades to help in rapid diagnosis of fungal infections in the host. Likewise, many nanotechniques, such as the application of nanoparticles, liposomes, solid-lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), dendrimers, nanoemulsions (NEs), and many more, are being developed and used for treatment. This chapter gives a brief idea about different ways of interventions of nanotechnology in the management of fungal infections.