Functionalized Rhodium Nanoparticles as Antimicrobial Agents for Treatment of Drug-Resistant Skin and Soft Tissue Infections.

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections reported in outpatients. Drug-resistant bacteria are the major cause of treatment failure and increased mortality rate in patients with SSTIs, posing significant challenges to human health. In this study, new-generation rhodium nanoplates (RhNPs) and glycol chitosan- and polydopamine-functionalized RhNPs (Rh@GCS) were developed for the treatment of drug-resistant SSTIs. RhNPs exhibited favorable antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Ag-resistant MRSA. The modified Rh@GCS exhibited enhanced antibacterial activity and could directly kill various drug-resistant bacteria by increasing the permeability of cell membranes, including gram-positive MRSA and gram-negative multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, Rh@GCS effectively inhibited bacterial growth and promoted the healing of skin lesions in MRSA-induced SSTI mouse models. These results suggest that Rh@GCS is a promising non-antibiotic antimicrobial agent for the treatment of drug-resistant SSTIs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.