Following the formation of wounds, the exposed living tissue becomes vulnerable to infection by pathogenic bacteria, increasing the risk of complications. Inadequate treatment can worsen the situation, fostering the development of resilient bacterial biofilms that impede wound-healing processes. Staphylococcus aureus , designated as a high-priority pathogen by the World Health Organization, poses a significant challenge with limited treatment options. To combat antibiotic resistance and mitigate the adverse effects associated with conventional therapies, innovative drug delivery systems are being investigated as antimicrobial interventions. In contrast to earlier reviews that have either surveyed nanocarriers for bacterial infections in general, focused on MRSA-targeted nanoparticles for systemic infection, restricted their scope to a single antibiotic class ( e.g. , vancomycin), or covered nanomaterials for wound healing without a pathogen-specific focus, this review is organized around nine distinct nanocarrier classes and integrates, for each class, (i) MRSA-specific antibacterial mechanism(s), (ii) physicochemical parameters, (iii) in vitro efficacy, (iv) in vivo performance in MRSA-infected wound models, and (v) direct contributions to the inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling phases of wound repair, together with a current audit of clinically approved and marketed nano-formulations. We examine the therapeutic potential of various nanoparticle systems, highlighting their effectiveness against MRSA in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Furthermore, we summarize approved and commonly used nano-formulations in clinical trials targeting MRSA infections. Through this exploration of nanoparticle-based strategies, this review aims to contribute to advancing effective treatments for MRSA infections and supporting accelerated wound healing. • Nanoparticles offer targeted drug delivery for MRSA-infected wound healing. • Diverse nanoparticle systems enhance antimicrobial efficacy and biocompatibility. • Clinical trials highlight the translational potential of nano-based wound therapies. • Smart wound dressings enable real-time monitoring and controlled drug release. • Future strategies focus on host-pathogen interactions and nanocarrier innovations.
Sadeghi et al. (2026) studied this question.