Co-exposure of chromium or cadmium and a low concentration of amoxicillin are responsible to emerge amoxicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Background: Heavy metals and antimicrobials co-exist in many environmental settings. The co-exposure of heavy metals and antimicrobials can drive emergence of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) Enterobacteriaceae. We hypothesized that co-exposure to heavy metals and a low concentration of antibiotic might alter antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, which facilitate emergence of AMR Staphylococcus aureus.