Plasmids and bacterial resistance to biocides

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology
• Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

• Plasmid-encoded resistance is well-documented for antibiotics, anions, and cations.
• Plasmid-mediated resistance to biocides, including chlorhexidine and quaternary ammonium compounds, occurs in bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus.
• Gram-negative bacteria may exhibit reduced biocide susceptibility due to plasmids, though intrinsic resistance is often more significant.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review plasmid-mediated resistance mechanisms in bacteria.
• To explore the link between antibiotic resistance and biocide resistance.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on plasmid-encoded resistance.
• Analysis of documented cases of bacterial resistance to antibiotics and biocides.

Main Results:

• Plasmids confer resistance to various agents, including biocides like chlorhexidine and quaternary ammonium compounds in Gram-positive bacteria.
• While plasmid-mediated biocide resistance exists in Gram-negative bacteria, intrinsic resistance is often more prevalent.
• A correlation between antibiotic resistance and biocide resistance is observed but not consistently found in clinical settings.

Conclusions:

• Plasmids play a role in bacterial resistance to both antibiotics and biocides.
• The clinical significance of linked antibiotic and biocide resistance requires further investigation.