As
declared by WHO, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a high priority
issue with a pressing need to develop impactful technologies to curb
it. The rampant and inappropriate use of antibiotics due to the lack
of adequate and timely diagnosis is a leading cause behind AMR evolution.
Unfortunately, populations with poor economic status and those residing
in densely populated areas are the most affected ones, frequently
leading to emergence of AMR pathogens. Classical approaches for AMR
diagnostics like phenotypic methods, biochemical assays, and molecular
techniques are cumbersome and resource-intensive and involve a long
turnaround time to yield confirmatory results. In contrast, recent
emergence of nanotechnology-assisted approaches helps to overcome
challenges in classical approaches and offer simpler, more sensitive,
faster, and more affordable solutions for AMR diagnostics. Nanomaterial
platforms (metallic, quantum-dot, carbon-based, upconversion, etc.),
nanoparticle-based rapid point-of-care platforms, nano-biosensors
(optical, mechanical, electrochemical), microfluidic-assisted devices,
and importantly, nanotheranostic devices for diagnostics with treatment
of AMR infections are examples of rapidly growing nanotechnology approaches
used for AMR management. This review comprehensively summarizes the
past 10 years of research progress on nanotechnology approaches for
AMR diagnostics and for estimating antimicrobial susceptibility against
commonly used antibiotics. This review also highlights several bottlenecks
in nanotechnology approaches that need to be addressed prior to considering
their translation to clinics.