安可信银离子免洗手消毒液的效果及安全性

目的评价一种以乙醇和银离子为主要成分的免洗手消毒液(安可信)的效果及其安全性。方法采用悬液定量杀菌试验、消毒剂对手消毒现场试验、急性经口毒性试验和小鼠骨髓嗜多染红细胞微核试验等方法,研究该免洗手消毒液杀菌效果以及安全性。结果银离子浓度为41.6 mg/kg、乙醇含量为54.4%(w/w)的该免洗手消毒液作用1 min,对大肠埃希菌、金黄色葡萄球菌和铜绿假单胞菌平均杀灭对数值>3.00;对白假丝酵母菌的平均杀灭对数值>4.00。该免洗手消毒液原液经37 ℃恒温培养箱保存3个月后,样品乙醇含量下降率为0.37%,银离子含量无下降。该免洗手消毒液对小鼠急性经口毒性LD₅₀>5 000 mg/kg,对新西兰家兔皮肤无刺激性,小鼠骨髓嗜多染红细胞微核试验结果为阴性。结论安可信银离子免洗手消毒液对细菌和真菌具有较好消毒作用;对人体无皮肤刺激;各项指标均符合国家要求。     

大熊猫源大肠杆菌及肺炎克雷伯氏菌对消毒剂耐药性研究

本实验对大熊猫肠道分离的88株大肠杆菌、32株肺炎克雷伯氏菌对季铵盐类消毒剂BC、CTPC、CTAB及DDAC的最小抑菌浓度(MIC)值进行测定,并扩增了消毒剂的耐药基因。结果显示,大肠杆菌对季铵盐类消毒剂MIC值为:BC的MIC值介于8~128 mg/L;CTPC的MIC值在32~256 mg/L之间;CTAB的MIC值为64~512 mg/L;DDAC的MIC值介于8~128 mg/L。肺炎克雷伯氏菌对季铵盐类消毒剂的耐药情况为:BC的MIC值介于16~512 mg/L;CTPC的MIC值在64~256 mg/L之间;CTAB的MIC值介于128~512 mg/L;DDAC的MIC值介于8~64 mg/L。可见,肺炎克雷伯氏菌对季铵盐类消毒剂的MIC值要大于大肠杆菌对季铵盐类消毒剂的MIC值。耐药基因检测结果表明,大肠杆菌季铵盐类消毒剂的染色体型耐药基因扩增率为68.18%~98.86%,最高为sug E(98.86%),emr E最低(68.18%),没有检测出qac E、qac F、qac G,检出率最高的可移动遗传元件介导耐药基因为qac EΔ1(19.31%)。肺炎克雷伯氏菌的染色体型耐药基因检出率为13.64%~28.41%,ydg E最高(28.14%),emr E检出率最低(13.64%),可移动遗传元件介导耐药基因sug E(p)检出率最高(6.82%),qac EΔ1、qac F、qac G基因未检出。测定大熊猫源大肠杆菌及肺炎克雷伯氏菌对消毒剂的耐药性,对圈养大熊猫消毒剂的规范使用,防控大熊猫细菌性疾病以及细菌对消毒剂耐药性有着重要意义。     

生牛奶中分离大肠杆菌对季铵盐类消毒剂耐药性研究

目的为调查牛奶中大肠杆菌Escherichia coli的污染状况和对常见季铵盐类消毒剂的耐药情况,为大型养殖场季铵盐类消毒剂的合理使用提供指导。方法对从74份生牛奶样品中分离的45株大肠杆菌采用琼脂稀释法测定4种季铵盐类消毒剂[十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTAB)、苯扎氯铵(BC)、双十烷基二甲基氯化铵(DDAC)、氯代十六烷基吡啶(CPC)]的最小抑菌浓度(MIC),采用PCR法检测10种消毒剂耐药基因,并分析其MIC值与耐药基因之间的相关性。结果大肠杆菌对4种消毒剂表现出不同程度的抗性,所检测的4种消毒剂对大肠杆菌的MIC值均大于标准菌株,且比例为BC=DDACCTABCPC。大肠杆菌季铵盐类消毒剂的耐药基因检出率为ydgF(84.44%)ydgE(80.00%)sugE(c)(66.67%)emrE(40.00%)mdfA(37.78%)qacEΔ1(33.33%)qacE(17.78%)qacF(13.33%)qacG(11.11%)sugE(p)(4.44%)。分析大肠杆菌消毒剂基因检出情况与MIC值之间的关系发现,qacF基因的检出率与128 mg·L~(-1)的CPC之间差异有统计学意义。结论由此可见,牛奶中存在大肠杆菌污染严重的现象对季铵盐类消毒剂耐药情况不容乐观,需进一步规范季铵盐类消毒剂的使用。     

7种消毒剂对鲟4种病原菌体外抑菌效果

为了筛选高效的消毒剂用于防治鲟细菌性疾病,采用二倍稀释法测定了7种消毒剂对鲟4种病原菌的最小抑菌浓度(MIC)和最小杀菌质量浓度(MBC)。结果显示,高铁酸钾对鲟4种病原菌抑菌效果最好,MIC为8 mg/L,MBC为8¹6 mg/L,戊二醛、甲醛、苯扎溴铵、过氧化氢及季铵盐络合碘5种消毒剂抑菌效果中等,聚维酮碘对鲟4种病原菌抑菌效果最差,聚维酮碘对鲟4种病原菌的MBC最大值为2048 mg/L。根据上述研究结果,选择抑菌效果好的消毒剂高铁酸钾进一步研究了鲟4种病原菌随时间和高铁酸钾浓度变化的生长趋势,显示消毒液浓度为5 mg/L、9 mg/L的消毒液在短时间能抑制病原菌生长繁殖,病原菌数量同样能在短时间内繁殖恢复到原来的水平,浓度为13 mg/L、17 mg/L的高铁酸钾消毒液能快速杀灭病原菌,病原菌在较长时间维持在较低水平,甚至病原菌全部被杀死。研究对于使用高铁酸钾防治鲟养殖实践中的疾病具有重要的指导意义。     

聚六亚甲基双胍复配消毒剂对几种伤口常见致病菌的杀灭作用研究

有效消毒可以预防黏膜创面感染，减少炎症发生。基于此，文章重点研究了聚六亚甲基双胍复配消毒剂对几种伤口常见致病菌的杀灭作用。首先研究了聚六亚甲基双胍(PHMB)、三氯生(TCS)和H₂O₂对金黄色葡萄球菌的最低抑菌浓度(MIC)、最低杀菌浓度(MBC)及部分抑菌浓度指数(FICI)，发现三氯生(TCS)的MIC和MBC最低，与H₂O₂联合有相加作用。复配消毒剂(1 280μg/m L PHMB、10μg/mL TCS、40μg/m L H₂O₂)对白色念珠菌的抑菌能力最强，在30 s内能够完全杀灭溶藻弧菌、副溶血性弧菌和铜绿假单胞菌，与金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠杆菌、白色念珠菌和模拟陆地伤口混菌作用5 min时的杀灭对数值均≥5 log10 CFU/mL，符合国家标准。因此该消毒剂在黏膜伤口治疗中具有很大的应用潜力。     

亚胺培南对铜绿假单胞菌敏感和耐药菌株DNA释放的影响

目的：观察亚胺培南对铜绿假单胞菌标准菌株和耐药菌株体外培养释放DNA的影响。方法：选择铜绿假单胞菌的标准菌株和临床分离耐药菌株作为实验菌株,检测其亚胺培南的最低抑菌浓度（MIC）,琼脂糖凝胶电泳法观察不同浓度亚胺培南作用下铜绿假单胞菌的DNA释放情况,并用Quantity One软件分析所释放DNA片段的分子量和含量。结果：亚胺培南作用下铜绿假单胞菌从1／2MIC开始释放小片段DNA,大于1／2MIC仅释放l条大片段DNA,且含量少,等于1／2MIC可释放3条DNA,但无小片段DNA,小于1／2MIC可释放4．5条DNA,且含量多。1／16MIC时,标准菌株释放的第1、5条DNA片段含量偏少,3、4条DNA片段含量偏多,而耐药菌株相反。耐药菌株与标准菌株相比释放的DNA片段有所不同,耐药菌株比标准菌株多释放一条DNA片段（第2条）,分子量为2784bp,耐药菌株的第1、3、4、5条DNA片段分子量均比标准菌株小。耐药菌株释放的第3、4、5条DNA含量明显高于标准菌株,P〈0．01,其统计有显著学意义。结论：不同亚胺培南浓度作用下,铜绿假单胞菌会释放不同片段大小和含量的DNA分子,耐药菌株与标准菌株释放的DNA片段数量和含量有明显差异,其与耐药机制的关系值得进一步研究。     

纳米银的抗菌特性及对多重耐药菌株的抗菌作用

【目的】利用革兰氏阴性细菌、革兰氏阳性细菌和真菌的模式菌株分析纳米银的抗菌特性,并评价纳米银对多重耐药菌株的抗菌作用。【方法】利用生物法合成的纳米银,以微量肉汤法测定3种标准菌株的最小抑菌浓度(MIC)和最小杀菌浓度(MBC),并计算MBC/MIC比值。用系列浓度的纳米银处理3株标准菌株后经平板计数法绘制时间-杀菌曲线。采用菌落平板计数法测定了纳米银对3种标准菌株的"抗生素后效应"(post-antibiotic effect,PAE),最后在生物安全II级实验室测定纳米银对临床分离的多重耐药菌株的抗菌作用。【结果】用生物法合成了粒径5–30 nm的纳米银,zeta电位为–19.5 m V。该纳米银制剂对3种标准菌株的时间-杀菌曲线均表现为时间依赖型抗菌作用。纳米银对大肠杆菌和白色念珠菌"抗生素后效应"随着浓度增加而增加,对金黄色葡萄球菌无明显"抗生素后效应"。纳米银对3种标准菌株的MIC值和MBC值均在1.00–4.00μg/m L之间;对3株人源性多重耐药菌MIC值在6.00–26.00μg/m L之间,MBC值在1.00–32.00μg/m L之间;对14株动物源性多重耐药菌MIC值在4.00–10.00μg/m L之间,MBC值在8.00–16.00μg/m L之间。纳米银对所有测试菌株的MBC/MIC值均小于2。【结论】纳米银是一种时间依赖型的抗菌剂,有不同程度的"抗生素后效应",对人源和动物源性多重耐药菌有杀菌作用。     

罕见角膜炎致病真菌的体外药敏试验

目的探索角膜炎罕见致病真菌对于临床常用抗真菌药物的敏感性。方法应用美国临床实验室标准化委员会制订的标准M38-A方案进行体外药敏试验。结果束状刺盘孢对4种抗真菌药的MIC值最低,≤4.0μg/ml;茄病镰刀菌次之;淡紫拟青霉的MIC值最高;茄病镰刀菌和淡紫拟青霉对氟康唑耐药。结论束状刺盘孢对氟康唑、酮康唑、伊曲康唑和两性霉素B体外试验敏感;淡紫拟青霉对酮康唑、伊曲康唑和两性霉素B的MIC值较高;茄病镰刀菌和淡紫拟青霉对氟康唑耐药。     

对多烯类药物耐药的1株黄曲霉临床株耐药性的初步研究

目的对1株分离自疑似侵袭性肺曲霉病患者肺泡灌洗液的黄曲霉进行常用抗真菌药物敏感性的测定,判断其药物敏感性。方法以形态学方法对该菌株进行菌种鉴定;然后按照美国临床和实验室标准研究所(CLSI)的丝状真菌抗真菌药物敏感性试验方案M38-A,测定常用抗真菌药物对该菌株的最低抑菌浓度、最低杀菌浓度;同时以E-test法测定该菌对两性霉素B和伊曲康唑的敏感性。结果微量液基稀释法显示,两性霉素B或制霉菌素对该菌的MIC值均为4μg/ml,MFC值均为16μg/ml;伊曲康唑的MIC值为0.5μg/ml,MFC值为2μg/ml;特比萘芬的MIC为0.03μg/ml,MFC为0.03μg/ml。E-test法结果显示,该菌对伊曲康唑敏感,对两性霉素B耐药。结论临床上可以分离到对多烯类抗真菌药物耐药的黄曲霉株,应该引起重视。     

耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌耐消毒剂基因与消毒剂抗性的研究

摘要：目的 了解临床分离的耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌（MRSA）耐消毒剂基因携带状况及其对消毒剂抗性水平。方法 采用聚合酶链反应（PCR）法和体外抗菌试验方法进行实验室检测。结果 10株临床分离的MRSA中,检出4株携带qacA/B基因,检出率为40.0%。含氯消毒剂对4株qacA/B基因阳性MRSA的MIC值均高于标准菌株。戊二醛消毒剂对2株MRSA基因阳性MRSA的MIC值和1株MRSA基因阳性MRSA的MBC值高于标准菌株,其他均与标准株相同。结论 临床分离的MRSA qacA/B基因阳性率较高,携带qacA/B基因阳性的MRSA对含氯消毒剂有产生抗性的趋势。     

多重耐药鲍曼不动杆菌消毒剂耐药基因检测及同源性分析

目的探讨多重耐药鲍曼不动杆菌（MDRAB）临床分离株对医院常用消毒剂苯扎溴铵和醋酸氯已定的耐药表型与qacE△1-sul1基因型的相关性并分析菌株的同源性。方法用微量肉汤稀释法检测菌株的最低抑菌浓度（MIC）和最低杀菌浓度（MBC）,用PCR方法检测qacE△1-sul1基因,用脉冲场凝胶电泳（PFGE）分析菌株的同源性。结果20株MDRAB中,18株（90％）qacE△l-sul1阳性,2株（10％）qacE△1-sul1阴性。qacE△1-sul1阳性株对苯扎溴铵的MIC50、MIC90、MBC50和MBC90分别是qacE△1-sul1阴性株的2倍、2倍、8倍和8倍。而qacE△1-sul1阳性株对醋酸氯已定的MIC50、MIC90、MBC50和MBC90分别是qacE△1-sul1阴性株的2倍、2倍、4倍和8倍。PF-GE显示：18株qacE△1-sul1阳性MDRAB可分为A～F6个PFGE克隆。2株qacE△1-sul1阴性MDRAB均为B克隆。结论MDRAB对消毒剂耐药性升高与qacE△1-sul1基因相关,临床存在多个克隆株的传播。     

Farm disinfectants select for cyclohexane resistance, a marker of multiple antibiotic resistance, in Escherichia coli

AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine if three classes of farm disinfectants were able to select for ciprofloxacin or cyclohexane tolerant [indicative of a multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) phenotype] Escherichia coli and if cyclohexane-tolerant E. coli could be isolated from farms. METHODS AND RESULTS: Chicken slurry containing ca 1 : 99 ratio ciprofloxacin resistant : susceptible E. coli (10 different resistant strains examined) was treated for 24 h with each of the disinfectants and examined for survival of resistant : susceptible strains. Ciprofloxacin-sensitive (n=5) and -resistant (n=5) E. coli were grown with sublethal concentrations of the disinfectants and then plated to agar containing ciprofloxacin or overlaid with cyclohexane. Escherichia coli (n=389) isolated from farms were tested for cyclohexane tolerance. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined against representative isolates and mutants. The disinfectants did not select for the ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli in poultry slurry but following growth with each of the three disinfectants, higher numbers (P < or = 0.023) of cyclohexane-tolerant E. coli were isolated and these had a MAR phenotype. Of the 389 farm E. coli tested, only one was cyclohexane tolerant. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible that in a farm environment, E. coli could be exposed to similar concentrations of the disinfectants that are selected for MAR type organisms under these laboratory conditions. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Data from this study suggest that cyclohexane-resistant E. coli are not common on farms, but in view of the ease of isolating them in the laboratory with farm disinfectants, further investigations on farms are warranted.     

Characterization of micro-organisms isolated from dairy industry after cleaning and fogging disinfection with alkyl amine and peracetic acid

AIMS: To characterize micro-organisms isolated from Norwegian dairy production plants after cleaning and fogging disinfection with alkyl amine/peracetic acid and to indicate reasons for survival. METHODS AND RESULTS: Microbial samples were collected from five dairy plants after cleaning and fogging disinfection. Isolates from two of these production plants, which used fogging with alkylamino acetate (plant A), and peracetic acid (plant B), were chosen for further characterization. The sequence of the 16S ribosomal DNA, fatty acid analysis and biochemical characteristics were used to identify isolates. Three isolates identified as Rhodococcus erythropolis, Methylobacterium rhodesianum and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa were isolated from plant A and one Sphingomonas sp. and two M. extorquens from plant B. Different patterns of resistance to seven disinfectants in a bactericidal suspension test and variable degree of attachment to stainless steel were found. The strains with higher disinfectant resistance showed lower degree of attachment than susceptible strains. CONCLUSIONS: The study identifies and characterizes micro-organisms present after cleaning and fogging disinfection. Both surface attachment and resistance were shown as possible reasons for the presence of the isolates after cleaning and disinfection. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These results contribute to the awareness of disinfectant resistance as well as attachment as mechanisms of survival in dairy industry. It also strengthens the argument of frequent alternation of disinfectants in the food processing industry to avoid the establishment of resistant house strains.     

Effect of biocides on Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage F116

Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage F116 is of interest in understanding the virucidal mechanisms of disinfectant action. Phage F116 has been used to test several disinfectants. The bacteriophage was relatively resistant to several biocides commonly used in disinfection processes. Only 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride, 0.1% peracetic acid and 2% phenol were highly active against the phage.     

Wide variation in effectiveness of laboratory disinfectants against bacteriophages

Aims: The purpose of this study was to identify an effective disinfectant for the inactivation of the bacteriophages (phages) being used in our laboratory, as published studies on phage inactivation are far from unanimous in their conclusions. Methods and Results: The phages studied were three closely related strains of Myoviridae and three strains of Siphoviridae. Three disinfectants which are used commonly in microbiology laboratories were evaluated: Virkon (1%), ethanol (75%) and sodium hypochlorite (2500 ppm available chlorine). The most effective of these was Virkon, which inactivated all six phages rapidly. Ethanol was effective against the Myoviridae but had little effect on the Siphoviridae. Sodium hypochlorite was the least effective of the disinfectants evaluated. Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrate a wide diversity in the effectiveness of disinfectants tested for inactivation of phages. Significance and Impact of the Study: Of the disinfectants tested Virkon is the most suitable choice for those unable to carry out disinfection validation studies, or where a broad spectrum disinfectant against phages is required. All of the phages in this study showed resilience to inactivation by sodium hypochlorite, and therefore this disinfectant is an unwise choice for use against phage without first assessing its effectiveness.     

Evaluation of in vitro antibacterial activity of some disinfectants on Escherichia coli serotypes

Three disinfectants commonly used in poultry farms (formalin, TH4+, and Virkon-S) were chosen for the present study. The effect of disinfectant concentration and the duration of exposure to these disinfectants on the survival of Escherichia coli serotypes (O114:K-, O86, O55:K39, and O86:K60) were investigated. Formalin (0.6%), TH4+ (0.06%), and Virkon (0.5%) all killed the four serotypes within 5 min of exposure. As the disinfectant concentration decreases, the length of exposure time to kill serotype increases. At 0.03%, 0.007%, and 0.03% of formalin, TH4+ and Virkon-S concentrations failed to kill the four E. coli serotypes within 360 min, respectively. An improvement of the inhibitory effect of these disinfectants occurred when added together with the inoculum instead of an established population. The influence of formalin, TH4+, and Virkon-S on the cell morphology of E. coli O55:K39 was investigated by using transmission electron microscopy. Formalin-treated cells exhibited normal cell morphology, with the exception that the treated cell was less fimbriated, and more destruction of pili increased when formalin concentrations were doubled. Cells treated with TH4+ (0.03%) showed destruction of the cell wall and cell surface membrane after 5 min. Cell filamentation occurred at 0.015% and increased with the increase of exposure time to this drug. Spheroplasts were observed only when cells were treated with 0.125% Virkon-S for 60 min, and cell lysis started to occur when 0.25% Virkon-S was applied for 15 min. Scanning electron microscope study revealed that Virkon-S at 0.03% and TH4+ at 0.007% completely prevented the adherence of E. coli O55:K39 serotype to chicken tracheal organ, whereas formalin (0.03%) disinfection minimized the adherence of E. coli cells to tracheal explants after 360 min of incubation.     

Insights into a multidrug resistant Escherichia coli pathogen of the globally disseminated ST131 lineage: genome analysis and virulence mechanisms

Escherichia coli strains causing urinary tract infection (UTI) are increasingly recognized as belonging to specific clones. E. coli clone O25b:H4-ST131 has recently emerged globally as a leading multi-drug resistant pathogen causing urinary tract and bloodstream infections in hospitals and the community. While most molecular studies to date examine the mechanisms conferring multi-drug resistance in E. coli ST131, relatively little is known about their virulence potential. Here we examined E. coli ST131 clinical isolates from two geographically diverse collections, one representing the major pathogenic lineages causing UTI across the United Kingdom and a second representing UTI isolates from patients presenting at two large hospitals in Australia. We determined a draft genome sequence for one representative isolate, E. coli EC958, which produced CTX-M-15 extended-spectrum β-lactamase, CMY-23 type AmpC cephalosporinase and was resistant to ciprofloxacin. Comparative genome analysis indicated that EC958 encodes virulence genes commonly associated with uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC). The genome sequence of EC958 revealed a transposon insertion in the fimB gene encoding the activator of type 1 fimbriae, an important UPEC bladder colonization factor. We identified the same fimB transposon insertion in 59% of the ST131 UK isolates, as well as 71% of ST131 isolates from Australia, suggesting this mutation is common among E. coli ST131 strains. Insertional inactivation of fimB resulted in a phenotype resembling a slower off-to-on switching for type 1 fimbriae. Type 1 fimbriae expression could still be induced in fimB-null isolates; this correlated strongly with adherence to and invasion of human bladder cells and bladder colonisation in a mouse UTI model. We conclude that E. coli ST131 is a geographically widespread, antibiotic resistant clone that has the capacity to produce numerous virulence factors associated with UTI.     

139株空肠弯曲菌耐药性分析

空肠弯曲菌(Campylobacter jejuni)是最常见的食源性病原菌之一。本研究采用微量肉汤稀释法对分离得到的139株空肠弯曲菌(117株为禽源样本分离株,22株为人源样本分离株)进行耐药性检测。通过对最小抑菌浓度(MIC)的判定结果得出:120株(86. 33%)空肠弯曲菌分离株对6类9组临床常用的抗生素表现出不同程度的耐药,其中禽源空肠弯曲菌耐药率为83. 76%,22株人源空肠弯曲菌均表现出耐药性。对喹诺酮类抗生素表现出高度耐药(环丙沙星80. 58%,萘啶酸77. 70%);对四环素类表现为中等耐药(四环素53. 24%);对部分大环内酯类、氨基糖苷类、林可酰胺类表现为低耐药(庆大霉素7. 19%,阿奇霉素5. 76%,克林霉素6. 47%);对酰胺醇类、部分大环内酯类表现为敏感(氟苯尼考0%,红霉素0%、泰利霉素0%)。139株空肠弯曲菌共产生14种耐药谱型,以TET-CIP-NAL谱型最多,占比38. 13%,耐三重及以上抗生素的多重耐药菌株占比53. 24%。禽源菌株中多重耐药占比46. 15%,人源菌株中多重耐药占比90. 91%。研究结果显示空肠弯曲菌耐药现状不容乐观,尤其对喹诺酮类与四环素类抗生素耐药性较为突出,且过半数菌株为多重耐药。本研究为食源性空肠弯曲菌的防控及临床用药提供参考。     

Cross-resistance to antibiotics of Escherichia coli adapted to benzalkonium chloride or exposed to stress-inducers

AIMS: To study the effects of adaptation and stress on the resistance to benzalkonium chloride (BC) and cross-resistance to antibiotics in Escherichia coli. METHODS AND RESULTS: Precultivation of E. coli ATCC 11775 and E. coli DSM 682 in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of BC or stress inducers (salicylate, chenodeoxycholate and methyl viologen) resulted in higher minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of BC and chloramphenicol (CHL). Adaptation to growth in sixfold of the initial MIC of BC resulted in stable BC resistance and enhanced tolerance to several antibiotics and ethidium bromide (EtBr). The MIC of CHL increased more than 10-fold for both strains. Enhanced efflux of EtBr in adapted E. coli ATCC 11775 indicated that the observed resistance was due to efflux. Changes in outer membrane protein profiles were detected in the BC-adapted cells. There were no indications of lower membrane permeability to BC. CONCLUSIONS: Induction of stress response or gradual adaptation to BC or CHL results in acquired cross-tolerance between BC and antibiotics in E. coli. Enhanced efflux was one of the observed differences in adapted cells. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Provided not taking due precautions, extensive use of disinfectants could lead to emergence of antibiotic-resistant isolates.     

Development of a standard test to assess the resistance of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm cells to disinfectants

A standardized disinfectant test for Staphylococcus aureus cells in biofilms was developed. Two disinfectants, the membrane-active compound benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and the oxidizing agent sodium hypochlorite, were used to evaluate the biofilm test. S. aureus formed biofilms on glass, stainless steel, and polystyrene in a simple system with constant nutrient flow that mimicked as closely as possible the conditions used in the current standard European disinfectant test (EN 1040). The biofilm that was formed on glass contained cell clumps and extracellular polysaccharides. The average surface coverage was 60%, and most (92%) of the biofilm cells were viable. Biofilm formation and biofilm disinfection in different experiments were reproducible. For biofilms exposed to BAC and hypochlorite the concentrations needed to achieve 4-log killing were 50 and 600 times higher, respectively, than the concentrations needed to achieve this level of killing with the European phase 1 suspension test cells. Our results show that a standardized disinfectant test for biofilm cells is a useful addition to the current standard tests.