Publications by authors named "Charlotte Boucher-van Jaarsveld"
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the surge in disinfectant use emphasised their pivotal role in infection control. While the majority of antimicrobial resistance research focuses on antibiotics, resistance to biocides, which are present in disinfectants and sanitisers, is escalating. sp.
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- Disinfectants and biosecurity are essential for controlling microbial diseases, but resistance to these disinfectants presents challenges in agriculture and healthcare.
- This study focused on identifying efflux transporters linked to disinfectant resistance in a multidrug-resistant isolate compared to a more susceptible strain.
- Through testing with efflux pump inhibitors, the research found that the resistant strain had fewer total efflux systems, and the addition of inhibitors increased susceptibility to disinfectants, suggesting efflux pumps significantly contribute to disinfectant resistance.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, our reliance on disinfectants and sanitizers and the use thereof has grown. While this may protect human health, it may be selecting for antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms, including those that are not only capable of growth in the presence of disinfectants but also thrive using this as an energy source. Furthermore, there is a growing concern in emerging nosocomial pathogens, which have shown resistance to antibiotics and disinfectants.
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