Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria exposed to chlorhexidine-containing disinfectants can become resistant to colistin, a last resort antibiotic often used against multidrug resistant pathogens. This is the first study to link exposure to chlorhexidine with resistance to colistin in this clinically important pathogen. The research is published this week in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.
In the study, the investigators tested the hypothesis that K. pneumoniae could survive exposure to increased concentrations of chlohexidine, and that these exposures might cause resistance to commonly used antibiotics. They selected specific strains of K. pneumoniae that were representative of isolates routinely found in the clinic.
Chlorhexidine is a common ingredient in a number of disinfectants used widely in the home and in healthcare settings, where it is a critical part of many infection control practices.
While some strains died on exposure, others were able to survive at much higher concentrations of chlorhexidine than their parental strains. Some also gained resistance to colistin. The investigators also found gene mutations in the exposed K. pneumoniae that conferred resistance to both compounds.
"Chlorhexidine is a critical part of current infection control practices, and the development of increased resistance to this compound has potential implications for our ability to prevent infections during routine and emergency surgery, and during admission to hospitals," said coauthor.
The study data, and other ongoing work suggest that many bacterial pathogens may share the same, or similar metabolic pathways. Specific selective pressures from antiseptics, such as chlorhexidine, may result in similar mutations in these pathways conferring increased resistance in these different species of bacteria, author said. "If the same response is seen in hospitals, this might mean that we need to rethink how and where some types of critical disinfectants or antiseptics are used in the clinic."
https://www.asm.org/index.php/journal-press-releases/94697-first-study-to-link-antibiotic-resistance-with-exposure-to-the-disinfectant-chlorhexidine
Linking antibiotic resistance with exposure to the disinfectant chlorhexidine
- 1,320 views
- Added
Edited
Latest News
Complete vascularization of…
By newseditor
Posted 28 Mar
Immune cells identified as…
By newseditor
Posted 28 Mar
TB blood test which could d…
By newseditor
Posted 27 Mar
Propionate supplementation…
By newseditor
Posted 27 Mar
Role of human Kallistatin i…
By newseditor
Posted 26 Mar
Other Top Stories
Long-non coding RNAs promote breast cancer metastasis
Read more
How shattered chromosomes (chromothripsis) make cancer cells drug-r…
Read more
Phase 3 clinical trial reveals life saving drug for acute myeloid l…
Read more
Brain cancer linked to tissue healing
Read more
The hexosamine biosynthesis pathway is a targetable liability in KR…
Read more
Protocols
Spatial proteomics in neuro…
By newseditor
Posted 28 Mar
All-optical presynaptic pla…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
Epigenomic tomography for p…
By newseditor
Posted 20 Mar
A mouse DRG genetic toolkit…
By newseditor
Posted 17 Mar
An optogenetic method for t…
By newseditor
Posted 13 Mar
Publications
A microfluidic platform int…
By newseditor
Posted 28 Mar
Salmonella manipulates macr…
By newseditor
Posted 28 Mar
BHLHE40/41 regulate microgl…
By newseditor
Posted 28 Mar
Balancing neuronal activity…
By newseditor
Posted 28 Mar
OSBP-mediated PI(4)P-choles…
By newseditor
Posted 28 Mar
Presentations
Hydrogels in Drug Delivery
By newseditor
Posted 12 Apr
Lipids
By newseditor
Posted 31 Dec
Cell biology of carbohydrat…
By newseditor
Posted 29 Nov
RNA interference (RNAi)
By newseditor
Posted 23 Oct
RNA structure and functions
By newseditor
Posted 19 Oct
Posters
A chemical biology/modular…
By newseditor
Posted 22 Aug
Single-molecule covalent ma…
By newseditor
Posted 04 Jul
ASCO-2020-HEALTH SERVICES R…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-HEAD AND NECK CANCER
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-GENITOURINARY CAN…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar