Metal-based antimicrobial agents in wound Dressings: Infection management and the challenge of antibiotic resistance

Wound infections represent a great barrier to the natural healing process, with associated mortality rates and high treatment costs posing the most challenging in wound care. Although wound dressings are essential for promoting wound healing, relying solely on ordinary dressings is insufficient to address the complexities of infections, especially in the face of increasing antibiotic resistance. A promising strategy to combat bacterial infections involves the incorporation of metal-based antimicrobial agents into dressings, due to their potent bactericidal capabilities, broad-spectrum efficacy, and minimal resistance. This review encapsulates the diverse antimicrobial mechanisms of various metal-based antimicrobial agents. It highlights recent advancements in wound dressings containing metal-based antimicrobial agents, focusing on common metals employed and the types of wound dressings, offering a comprehensive overview of the current field. Ultimately, it provides a systematic analysis of the role of metal-based antimicrobial agents in wound healing, offering valuable insights into overcoming challenges related to antibiotic resistance.