Recent progress in multifunctional conjugated polymer nanomaterial-based synergistic combination phototherapy for microbial infection theranostics

Microbial infection is a critical public health problem, owing to its strong infectivity and high risk of mortality. Multi-antibiotic resistant pathogens reduce the efficacy of commercial antibiotics, thereby worsening microbial infections. New antimicrobial nanomaterials (e.g., conjugated polymer-based nanomaterials) and strategies (e.g., phototherapy) must be developed for the early diagnosis and effective elimination of microbial infections. Conjugated polymers are a versatile class of biomaterials, possessing diverse structures and functionalities for biomedical applications, owing to their excellent biocompatibility, stability, and easily modifiable surface properties. Recently, conjugated polymer-based nanomaterials have emerged as phototherapy agents to treat multi-antibiotic resistant infections. To the best of our knowledge, no study has comprehensively discussed conjugated polymer-based nanomaterials as photoactive agents for multimodal imaging-guided combination phototherapy against microbial infections. This review provides an in-depth summary of the recent progress in multifunctional conjugated polymer-based nanomaterials for photo-based diagnostic and therapeutic applications to treat infections caused multi-drug resistant pathogens. Conjugated polymer nanomaterial-based phototherapy will offer a better platform for future microbial infection theranostics.