Silver-containing nanoparticles in the research of new antimicrobial agents against ESKAPE pathogens

Abstract This chapter presents the development of new silver-containing nanoparticles with antimicrobial activity, considering their synthesis and characterization methods. Moreover, an enumeration of different techniques for the evaluation of the silver nanoparticle antibacterial activity are presented and commented. The antimicrobial results against ESKAPE bacteria, the probable mechanisms of action, and the effect on eukaryotic cells and levels of toxical effects are also reported. Due to the importance of medical applications, a survey of silver devices in commercial use and in clinical trials is also presented. Another aspect is that nanotechnology can provide enormous benefits, but it can also bring unprecedented risks. For this reason the impact of nanocompounds in the environment is analyzed.