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Updated: Jun 14, 2025
Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Published on: March 3, 2023
Antibiotic resistance pattern of bacterial strains emerged using frequent hand sanitizers during corona pandemic
Nikita Vadadoriya1, Shilja Sajeevan1, Gopal Bhojani1
1Analytical Discipline and Centralized Instrument Facility, CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Institute, GB Marg, Bhavnagar, 364002, Gujarat, India.
Abstract:
Hands are in fact the main route of transmission of pathogenic infections. By using proper hand sanitization, we can break the virus's transmission chain, which is especially important in the ongoing COVID pandemic outbreaks. The effectiveness of hand sanitization is solely dependent on the use of sufficient antibacterial agents, which come in a variety of levels and types, including antimicrobials commercial, water-based, or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, the latter being widely used during pandemics. Therefore, the sudden overuse of sanitizers also could lead to an increase in the tolerance limit for normal hand flora and the new development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In this study, we investigated the relationship between hand sanitizer-tolerant bacteria and their antibiotic resistance profile to multiple antibiotic agents. On a timely basis before and after using different hand sanitizers, bacterial strains were collected from the volunteers of CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSIR-CSMCRI). Sanitizer tolerant bacterial strains were observed also just after the application of sanitizers, which also showed the AMR phenomenon. The resultant sanitizers' resistant microbiome showed the dominant presence of Bacillus sp., Staphyloccocus sp., Paenibacillus sp., Lysinibacillus sp., Exiguobacterium sp. and Leclercia sp. All 36 nos of bacterial strains showed MDR (> 5 nos).
Insights
Frequent hand sanitizer use can lead to bacteria developing tolerance and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study found sanitizer-tolerant bacteria also exhibit multidrug resistance (MDR), posing a public health concern.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Hands are a primary vector for pathogenic infections.
- Effective hand sanitization is crucial for breaking disease transmission chains, particularly during pandemics like COVID-19.
- Overuse of hand sanitizers may foster antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between bacteria tolerant to hand sanitizers and their resistance to multiple antibiotics.
- To assess the development of AMR in hand flora following sanitizer use.
Main Methods:
- Bacterial strains were collected from volunteers before and after using various hand sanitizers.
- Sanitizer tolerance and antibiotic resistance profiles of collected strains were analyzed.
- Microbiome analysis identified dominant bacterial genera.
Main Results:
- Sanitizer-tolerant bacteria were identified immediately after sanitizer application.
- These tolerant strains demonstrated the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenomenon.
- The resistant microbiome was dominated by Bacillus, Staphyloccocus, Paenibacillus, Lysinibacillus, Exiguobacterium, and Leclercia species.
- All 36 bacterial strains exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR).
Conclusions:
- Hand sanitizer use can rapidly select for tolerant bacteria that also possess multidrug resistance.
- The findings highlight a potential public health risk associated with widespread hand sanitizer overuse.
- Further research is needed to understand and mitigate the development of AMR in the context of hand hygiene practices.
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