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Does benzalkonium chloride contribute to antibiotic resistance?

Using an integrated approach that combines metagenomics of natural microbial communities with gene cloning experiments with isolates and experimental evolution assays, we show that the widely used benzalkonium chloride disinfectants promote clinically relevant antibiotic resistance.

How does benzalkonium chloride affect bacteria?

Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a wide spectrum quaternary ammonium antibacterial agent that has been used in various dental composites. It is cationically charged and induces antibacterial action through attraction to the negatively charged bacterial membrane.

What causes the most antibiotic resistance?

The main cause of antibiotic resistance is antibiotic use. When we use antibiotics, some bacteria die but resistant bacteria can survive and even multiply. The overuse of antibiotics makes resistant bacteria more common. The more we use antibiotics, the more chances bacteria have to become resistant to them.

Do disinfectants contribute to antibiotic resistance?

Using disinfectants could lead to antibiotic resistance, according to new research. London, England (CNN) — A new study has provided more evidence that using common disinfectants could promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Antibiotic resistance is considered a major health issue.

Is benzalkonium chloride an antibiotic?

Benzalkonium chloride is a QAC, with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Its vast use could lead to accumulation in the environment and selection of biocide resistant bacteria, which could be cross-resistant to antibiotics (4).

Why is benzalkonium chloride used for disinfectant?

Benzalkonium chloride solutions are fast-acting biocidal agents with a moderately long duration of action. They are active against bacteria and some viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Bacterial spores are considered to be resistant. Solutions are bacteriostatic or bactericidal according to their concentration.

Is benzalkonium chloride safe for humans?

Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a widely used disinfectant/preservative, and respiratory exposure to this compound has been reported to be highly toxic.

Is benzalkonium chloride effective against E coli?

The study focuses on the disinfection of Escherichia coli with benzalkonium chloride, the most common quaternary ammonium compound. Interestingly, the specific benzalkonium chloride uptake (mean uptake per cell) decreases exponentially when the inoculum concentration increases.

Why do bacteria become antibiotic resistant?

Bacteria develop resistance mechanisms by using instructions provided by their DNA. Often, resistance genes are found within plasmids, small pieces of DNA that carry genetic instructions from one germ to another. This means that some bacteria can share their DNA and make other germs become resistant.

What are three actions that could prevent antibiotic resistance?

There are many ways that drug-resistant infections can be prevented: immunization, safe food preparation, handwashing, and using antibiotics as directed and only when necessary. In addition, preventing infections also prevents the spread of resistant bacteria.

Does resistance to antibiotics correlate with resistance to disinfectants?

There are links between disinfectant resistance and antibiotic resistance. Some biocides have the ability to select for antibiotic resistant mutants and vice versa. Resistance genes are often located on transferable genetic elements that facilitate horizontal gene transfer between microorganisms.

How do bacteria become resistant to disinfectants?

Bacteria can develop resistance to disinfectants over time either by acquisition of exogenous mobile genetic elements or through the process of intrinsic genetic adaption.

Do benzalkonium chloride disinfectants promote antibiotic resistance?

Widely Used Benzalkonium Chloride Disinfectants Can Promote Antibiotic Resistance Appl Environ Microbiol. 2018 Aug 17;84(17):e01201-18.doi: 10.1128/AEM.01201-18. Print 2018 Sep 1. Authors

What is benzalkonium chloride (BAC)?

(A) Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) formula and structure. (B) Uses of BACs and six reported types of mechanisms of microbial resistance to BACs. BACs were reported for the first time in 1935 by Gerhard Domagk, gaining the market as zephiran chlorides, and were marketed as promising and superior disinfectant and antiseptics (2).

Do disinfectants promote antibiotic resistance?

Collectively, our results demonstrated that disinfectants promote antibiotic resistance via several mechanisms and highlight the need to remediate (degrade) disinfectants in nontarget environments to further restrain the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Why is polymyxin B resistant to Pseudomonas aeruginosa?

Furthermore, the exposure of the P. aeruginosaisolates to increasing concentrations of BAC selected for mutations in pmrB(polymyxin resistance) and physiological adaptations that contributed to a higher tolerance to polymyxin B and other antibiotics.