Bacterial infections are a major cause of chronic infections and mortality. Drug resistant microorganisms pose a serious public health problem and strategies for controlling bacterial activity are needed. Nanoparticles have emerged as a novel alternative to overcome bacterial multidrug resistance due to misuse and abuse of antibiotics. Their use as antimicrobial agents could overcome mechanisms of bacterial resistance as the microbicidal nature of nanoparticles result from direct contact with the bacterial cell wall, inhibiting cellular adhesion and attachment, without the need to penetrate into the cell, interfering in bacterial physiology, quorum sensing, and avoiding biofilm development. The physicochemical properties of nanoparticles are significant elements that regulate their antibacterial actions. Moreover, environmental conditions, the bacterial strain, and the exposure time are other major factors that influence their effects. This review focuses on the antibacterial mechanism and effect of silver nanoparticles, as well as the potential use as an alternative antimicrobial agent.
