Cross-Resistance to Antibiotics After Exposure to Qaternary Ammonium Compounds

• Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are common antimicrobials that are used in a variety of consumer products, such as lotions, sunscreen, hair conditioners and hand sanitizers, to inhibit bacterial growth. However, it has been noted that bacteria exposed to QACs can develop resistance, and additionally, resistance to QACs has been observed to provide cross-resistance to antibiotics. In order to identify genetic adaptations for this resistance pattern, we exposed E. coli to three different QACs at sub-MIC and above-MIC concentrations, and identified genetic changes by whole genome sequencing. We found that initial adaptation, at sub-MIC levels, happened through efflux mechanisms, and that subsequent genetic changes, during above-MIC exposure, involved genes associated with the cell membranes and with transcription/translation. We also found that these genetic changes provided cross-resistance to other QACs as well as to several antibiotics.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Annan medicin och hälsovetenskap -- Övrig annan medicin och hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Other Medical and Health Sciences -- Other Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere specified (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Antibiotic resistance

Antimicrobials

Cross-resistance

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)