Comprehensive analysis of disinfectants on the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes

Do Microorganisms in Bathing Water in Guadeloupe (French West Indies) Have Resistance Genes?

“…intI3 was the only integron identified consistently across all sites and during both sampling periods, and its presence was associated with the soil and freshwater proteobacterial group [42]. We also identified determinants of resistance to heavy metals and disinfectants, which can accelerate the spread of ARGs and antibiotic-resistant bacteria while promoting horizontal gene transfer [45][46][47][48][49]. Although the sample used in this study was relatively small for a resistome study, our results suggest that biofilms in these rivers are not sites of permanent ARG accumulation or establishment.…”

Quaternary ammonia compounds in disinfectant products: evaluating the potential for promoting antibiotic resistance and disrupting wastewater treatment plant performance

“…Thus, exposure to antibiotics may lead to QAC resistance through efflux and, similarly, exposure to QACs could provide resistance to antibiotics. Likewise, a large abundance of QAC resistance genes ( qacEΔ1 , qacH ) was reported in an estuary from China, 155 indicating that estuary sediments are a reservoir of QAC resistance genes. The detection frequencies of QAC resistance genes ( qacEΔ1 and qacH ) were 100% in estuary sediments.…”

“…In other studies, the promotional effect of different QACs on conjugative transfer at sub-MIC concentrations exposure has also been demonstrated, and the facilitating ability is concentration and core structure dependent. 155,156 QACs facilitate plasmid conjugation transfer via multiple pathways including increasing cell membrane permeability, altering the composition and content of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and regulating gene expression associated with plasmid conjugation. 54,155,156 A recent study indicated that the ratio of extracellular polysaccharides and proteins increased with the exposure of QACs (C 10 DADMAC and C 12 BAC), which caused an increase in cellular hydrophobicity, thereby contributing to the intercellular contact between donors and recipients.…”

“…155,156 QACs facilitate plasmid conjugation transfer via multiple pathways including increasing cell membrane permeability, altering the composition and content of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and regulating gene expression associated with plasmid conjugation. 54,155,156 A recent study indicated that the ratio of extracellular polysaccharides and proteins increased with the exposure of QACs (C 10 DADMAC and C 12 BAC), which caused an increase in cellular hydrophobicity, thereby contributing to the intercellular contact between donors and recipients. 156 Additionally, QACs regulate the transcriptional expression levels of the genes that code for quorum sensing regulator ( luxS ), global regulators ( korA , korB , trbA ), DNA replication and translocation ( trbB ) and mating pairing formation ( trbB ).…”

“…First, it is not known if exposure to QACs contributes to the rise of antibiotic resistant pathogens in complex engineered environments. Although previous studies revealed that QAC exposure can promote the development of antibiotic resistance, 155,156,223,224 evidence is lacking about how QACs impact clinical antibiotic resistance. The impact of the coexistence of QACs and other stressors on antibiotic resistance is also an important knowledge gap.…”