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Products containing biocides: perceptions and realities.

M S Favero1

  • 1Advanced Sterilization Products, Johnson and Johnson, Irvine, California 92618, USA. msfavero@aol.com

Symposium Series (Society for Applied Microbiology)
|December 17, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Chemical germicides and antibiotics have different inactivation mechanisms and resistance definitions. Misinterpreting germicide resistance can lead to false concerns about antibiotic resistance development.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Antimicrobial Resistance
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Chemical germicides and antibiotics differ fundamentally in their mechanisms of action against microorganisms.
  • Understanding these differences is crucial, especially with the increased use of germicides in healthcare and homes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To differentiate the mechanisms of action and resistance for chemical germicides versus antibiotics.
  • To clarify the implications of applying antibiotic resistance assessment methods to chemical germicides.
  • To address concerns about germicide use potentially driving antibiotic resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of inactivation mechanisms for germicides and antibiotics.
  • Review of resistance determination methodologies for both agent types.
  • Evaluation of the impact of germicide concentration on resistance mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Germicides typically have multiple targets and resistance is concentration-dependent, unlike antibiotics with singular targets.
  • Applying antibiotic resistance assays to germicides can yield misleading interpretations.
  • Increased germicide use is primarily a cost issue, not a driver of antibiotic resistance.

Conclusions:

  • The term 'tolerance' is more appropriate for microbial responses to germicides than 'resistance'.
  • Misapplication of resistance assessment methods can erroneously link germicide use to the development of antibiotic resistance.
  • Current evidence does not support the notion that chemical germicide use contributes to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.

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