Antimicrobial and antiviral hydrogels

This brief review aims at providing some illustrative examples of different types of antimicrobial (antibacterial/antifungal) and antiviral hydrogels. Such hydrogels, formed by cationic polymers alone, or polymer mixtures with antimicrobial compounds such as surfactants, lipids, nanoparticles, peptides, as well as antibiotics and antiviral drugs, are discussed and exemplified. The triggered response of such hydrogels is also addressed. Throughout, focus is placed on formulation principles, and on how the physicochemical properties of such hydrogels influence their antimicrobial/antiviral action.