**7. Nanotechnology in health sciences**

**6. Antibiotic resistance requires a coordinated response**

112 *Escherichia coli* Escherichia coli - Recent Advances on Physiology, Pathogenesis and Biotechnological Applications - Recent Advances on Physiology, Pathogenesis and Biotechnological Applications

and/or consuming contaminated food.

vores, insects, and microbial infections.

medicinal properties.

Antibiotic use in animals has led to the emergence of resistant bacteria, and sometimes these resistant bacteria can be transferred from animals to humans by direct contact or by handling

High levels of resistance were observed for tetracycline as well as intermediate resistance against tetracycline, amikacin, and gentamicin. Gentamicin was the most effective out of these antibiotics [61]. Some authors [62] have showed high rates of tetracycline resistance in strains of enteric *E. coli*. Preventing resistant infections provides the greatest opportunity to limit resistance. Strategies to prevent and control resistant bacteria vary by the pathogen and the setting in which the infection is acquired. Infections were diagnosed in 188 patients from a single healthcare institution [63]. The medical costs for antibiotic resistant infections were estimated between \$13.35 and \$18.75 million dollars. In United States, antibiotic resistance is also an economic burden on the healthcare system, in other words, resistant infections cost more to treat. Unfortunately, infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria are an everyday occurrence in healthcare settings. In United States, an effort of the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) contributes to minimize the impact of resistance. NARMS consists in a lab-based system for surveillance. This system is presented in all 50 states and detects resistance in pathogens that are commonly transmitted from animals to humans or through food, such as *Salmonella, Campylobacter*, and *E. coli*. Outbreaks caused by resistant bacteria can occur in community settings where people are concentrated, such as athletic teams, childcare centers, and prisons, or in healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and ambulatory care facilities. Because the impact of resistance is extensive, activities may be done. The action plan could focus on: (i) reducing inappropriate antimicrobial use; (ii) reducing the spread of antimicrobial resistant microorganisms in institutions, communities, and agriculture; (iii) encouraging the development of new antiinfective products, vaccines, and adjunct therapies; and (iv) supporting basic research on antimicrobial resistance. Another interesting goal to the process used to inhibit pathogens is linked to ancient knowledge. Many plant products are known to be able to inhibit the growth of several pathogens [64]. These compounds are used by plants in defense mechanisms such as predation by herbi-

On the other hand, some studies [65] have shown that microorganisms living in intimate interaction with the host plant without causing any apparent disease symptoms produce

Some studies [65] recently showed that the phytochemicals produced by endophytes have revolutionized the use of these microorganisms as a source of bioactive compounds in recent years [65]. Among the great diversity of the different biomes, many plants stand out for its

*Streptomyces tubercidicus* can produce tubercidin. Scientists working with a strain isolated from the Brazilian tropical savannah tree (*Solanum lycocarpum* St. Hill), named this strain (RND-C) [66]. In this study, different fractions with strong antimicrobial activity against *E. coli* and

most of these compounds. These microorganisms are defined as endophytes [65].

Nanotechnology is the technology that deals with materials and products at the nanoscale. It is able to provide more effective solutions to some of the biotechnology issues, such as the development of drugs, due to the reduction of the proportion between contact surfaces and volume of materials, optimizing their action and consequently reduces the consumption of substances and products.

Mesoporous nanostructures, as FDU-12 silica, have high specific surface area, mesoporous large volume, diameter, and adjustable pore surface properties that can be directed to the desired needs. They also have a great importance in catalysis processes, adsorption separation of large molecules, sensors, photonics, optical, drug release or drug, acoustic, nanoreactors, nanotechnology with advanced integrated systems, among others [71].

Lignin, besides being the second vegetal macromolecule found naturally in abundance, can functionalized mesoporous nanostructures, as it has in its structure phenolic and carboxylic groups. These groups are still capable of reducing metal to form nanoparticles and they also have the advantage coat of the silver nanoparticles.
