Molecularly Imprinted Electrochemical Sensors for Halogenated anti-Infective Agent Detection: A Review of Current Developments and Prospects

The global struggle against infectious diseases represents a significant health issue that has persisted since ancient eras. Anti-infective agents are compounds that either prevent the spread of infectious pathogens or eradicate them. Halogens play a crucial role in the discovery and development of pharmaceuticals, as they are integral to synthesizing numerous drugs and medicinal compounds. These elements are vital across various categories of anti-infective agents and are found in many approved medications and promising lead compounds currently undergoing testing. The precise and swift identification of halogenated anti-infective agents is essential for clinical surveillance, food safety, and environmental research. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have surfaced as a valuable resource for detecting these agents owing to their exceptional specificity, sensitivity, cost-effectiveness, and mobility. This review presents an extensive examination of the latest developments in the application of MIPs for detecting anti-infective agents. Despite the existing challenges, MIPs offer an economical and portable detection solution appropriate for on-site investigation across various fields. This review examines the fundamental operating principles, fabrication techniques, materials, and methodologies associated with MIPs. The following section delves into MIP-based sensors for precisely quantifying halogenated anti-infective agents across various sample types. Lastly, the review addresses the challenges faced in this field and outlines future directions. This comprehensive review aims to provide valuable insights that will aid in the enhancement of MIP sensors for clinically important applications in the future.