Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Microb Drug Resist. 2022 Aug;28(8):841-848. doi: 10.1089/mdr.2022.0039. Epub 2022 Jun 27.
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. This rise in resistance has led to the investigation of various mechanisms behind resistance, such as biofilms, efflux pumps, and mobile genetic elements. Although many resistance mechanisms have been identified, it was discovered that some potentially pathogenic microbes could metabolize these compounds, which remains an avenue for further investigation. Investigating alternative metabolic pathways in microorganisms capable of growth using disinfectants as their sole carbon and energy source may provide insight into the metabolism of quaternary ammonium compound (QAC)-based antimicrobials. Many of the metabolic reactions proposed include hydroxylation, -dealkylation, -demethylation, and β-oxidation of QACs. If clear metabolic pathways and reactions are elucidated, possible alternative approaches to QACs may be advised. Alternatively, this may provide opportunities for biodegradation of the compounds that adversely affect the environment.
自 COVID-19 大流行开始以来，我们对消毒剂和消毒剂的依赖以及使用量有所增加。虽然这可能保护人类健康，但它可能会选择对抗微生物耐药的微生物，包括不仅能够在消毒剂存在下生长，而且还可以利用消毒剂作为能源茁壮成长的微生物。此外，新兴的医院病原体越来越令人担忧，这些病原体已经显示出对抗生素和消毒剂的耐药性。这种耐药性的上升导致人们对耐药性背后的各种机制进行了研究，例如生物膜、外排泵和可移动遗传元件。尽管已经确定了许多耐药机制，但发现一些潜在的致病微生物可以代谢这些化合物，这仍然是进一步研究的一个途径。研究能够利用消毒剂作为唯一碳源和能源生长的微生物中的替代代谢途径，可能有助于了解基于季铵化合物 (QAC) 的抗菌剂的代谢。提出的许多代谢反应包括 QAC 的羟化、脱烷基化、脱甲基化和β-氧化。如果阐明了明确的代谢途径和反应，则可能建议使用 QAC 的替代方法。或者，这可能为降解对环境有不利影响的化合物提供机会。
