Chiral carbon quantum dots with High-Specificity Report function as Efficient antimicrobial Nanoagent to Resist antibiotic resistance

• Novel D-amino acid-modified antibacterial carbon quantum dots (h-DCQDs) from levofloxacin and D-histidine were obtained. • The antibacterial activity increased and the targeting to bacteria improved after the formation of h-DCQDs with a plenty of chirality group. • Small-scale and positively charged h-DCQDs could produce ROS, which was more easily to interfere with bacteria. • The antibacterial h-DCQDs exhibited prominent biocompatibility. To address the growing challenge of bacterial antibiotic resistance, this study developed chiral carbon quantum dots (h‑DCQDs) synthesized from levofloxacin and D‑histidine. The h‑DCQDs exhibit strong broad‑spectrum antibacterial activity against both Gram‑positive and Gram‑negative bacteria, while also showing resistance to microbial resistance development and promoting wound healing. The antibacterial mechanism of h-DCQDs involves reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and specific interaction with bacterial cell walls/membranes, leading to structural disruption, content leakage, and cell death. Owing to their excellent biocompatibility and fluorescence, h‑DCQDs can also serve as effective bacterial imaging probes. This work highlights the innovation of using chiral carbon quantum dots, which achieve bacteria-specific targeting and integrate antimicrobial and reporting functions. This offers a promising strategy for tracking and treating bacterial infections.