Disinfectant may boost resistance
Monday October 6th, 2008
Widespread use of disinfectants and antiseptics may be making bacteria stronger, scientists warn today.
Laboratory studies of one of the most common hospital bugs have shown how they adapt when treated with disinfectants.
Scientists say the danger comes when low levels of disinfectants are used - allowing some bacteria to survive.
The study, reported in the journal Microbiology, involved tests with the organism Staphylococcus aureus, taken from the blood of hospital patients. In its drug-resistant form, MRSA, the bug has caused devastation in hospitals.
It showed that faced with toxic chemicals bacteria developed mutants with additional "efflux pumps" used to remove threats. The organisms can also use the pumps to remove antibiotics.
Researcher Dr Glenn Kaatz, from the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Detroit, USA, said scientists were studying treatments to neutralise efflux pumps - but had not found "ideal" ones yet.
He said: "Careful use of antibiotics and the use of biocides that are not known to be recognised by efflux pumps may reduce the frequency at which resistant strains are found.
"Alternatively, the combination of a pump inhibitor with an antimicrobial agent or biocide will reduce the emergence of such strains and their clinical impact."
Microbiology October 2008
Tags: MRSA & Hygiene
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