Work

Efflux Pumps Might Not Be the Major Drivers of QAC Resistance in Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are commonly used antiseptics that are now known to be subject to bacterial resistance. The prevalence and mechanisms of such resistance, however, remain underexplored. We investigated a variety of QACs, including those with multicationic structures (multiQACs), and the resistance displayed by a variety of Staphylococcus aureus strains with and without genes encoding efflux pumps, the purported main driver of bacterial resistance in MRSA. Through minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)-, kinetic-, and efflux-based assays, we found that neither the qacR/qacA system present in S. aureus nor another efflux pump system is the main reason for bacterial resistance to QACs. Our findings suggest that membrane composition could be the predominant driver that allows CA-MRSA to withstand the assault of conventional QAC antiseptics.

Source: ChemBioChem

DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201700233

Authors: Megan C. Jennings, Megan E. Forman, Stephanie M. Duggan, Kevin P. C. Minbiole, William M. Wuest

Institutions: Temple University, Villanova University, Emory University

Language: English

Topic: Antimicrobial agents and applications

Subfield: Organic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Science Foundation, National Institute of General Medical Sciences