Infrared-activated hydrogel uses lysozyme 'nets' to combat resistant bacteria

Each year, bacterial infections are responsible for roughly 7.7 million deaths worldwide, with this problem further exacerbated by rising antibiotic resistance. Not only are wound infections increasingly difficult to treat, they also impede healing of the surrounding tissue at the same time. This is because the wound infection causes a misdirected inflammatory reaction in which the immune system is constantly activated, damages healthy tissue and blocks the repair processes required for healing. Antibiotics offer little assistance in such situations, even if they are effective against the underlying bacteria.