Plasmid-encoded resistance to acriflavine and quaternary ammonium compounds in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Irrigation water can serve as a vehicle for transporting pathogenic microorganisms, and numerous cases of bacterial infections from consumption of irrigated fresh produce have been reported in recent years. Chlorine-based disinfectants applied when produce is packed are widely used to control microorganisms. When applied properly, the chlorine products are effective. However, hazardous disinfection breakdown products can be formed, and chlorine disinfectants have high oxidant activity that can affect produce quality and pose a risk to food handlers. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QACs) are a disinfectant alternative for the washing of fruits and vegetables. They can control a great number of microorganisms, have low toxicity when used at recommended doses, and are stable in storage. The purpose of this work was to assess the disinfectant activity of QACs against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus under worst-case and average-case turbidity conditions, (2 and 100 nephelometric units); two disinfectant concentrations (100 and 200 mg/L; and two contact times (30 and 120 seconds). Our research showed that QACs were effective against both bacteria. The percentage reduction of Escherichia coli was significantly higher in the less turbid solution (P=0.027), while turbidity did not affect the reduction of Staphylococcus aureus (P>0.05). E. coli was more resistant to QAC treatment than S. aureus. Based on the data obtained we can conclude that QACs could be an alternative in washing processes of fruits and vegetables.

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Effect of Medium on Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to Quaternary Ammonium Compounds.

Experimental Biology and Medicine ◽

10.3181/00379727-68-16498 ◽

1948 ◽

Vol 68 (2) ◽

pp. 401-403 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

W. L. Mallmann ◽

A. Leavitt ◽

D. A. Joslyn

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Quaternary Ammonium ◽

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ◽

Ammonium Compounds

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An optimized co-formulation minimized quaternary ammonium compounds adsorption onto raw cotton disposable disinfecting wipes and maintained efficacy against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Textile Research Journal ◽

10.1177/0040517517720505 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 88 (20) ◽

pp. 2329-2338 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

DJ Hinchliffe ◽

BD Condon ◽

CA Madison ◽

M Reynolds ◽

RJ Hron

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽

Enterococcus Faecalis ◽

Quaternary Ammonium ◽

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Ionic Interactions ◽

Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus ◽

Infectious Agents ◽

Vancomycin Resistant ◽

Ammonium Compounds

The transmission of infectious agents can occur through secondary routes by contact with contaminated inanimate objects in clinical and food service settings. Effective disinfection of exposed surfaces can aid in reducing secondary transmission of infectious agents. Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats) are biocides widely used as active ingredients in disinfecting solutions and are effective against a wide range of microorganisms, including those with antibiotic resistance. Cellulosic fibers such as cotton are desirable as disposable substrates for the application of disinfecting solutions, since they have good absorbency and cleaning properties and are sustainable and biodegradable. However, cotton fibers deplete quats from solution through strong ionic interactions at the solid–liquid interface, thereby reducing the amount of quat deposited onto a surface for effective disinfection. In this study, we used response surface methodology to model the depletion of the quat, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (ADBAC), onto cotton wipe substrates in the presence of chemical compounds that interfered or competed with the ionic interactions between the quat and the cotton fiber surface. Preliminary efficacy testing successfully demonstrated that an optimized disinfecting ADBAC co-formulation applied with a raw cotton disposable wipe maintained efficacy against representative gram negative ( Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and gram positive ( Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria compared to a control disinfecting solution containing only ADBAC. Our optimized disinfecting ADBAC co-formulation remained efficacious against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis, demonstrating for the first time that quat adsorption onto cotton substrates can be minimized and efficacy maintained with inexpensive added chemistries.

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The minimum inhibitory concentration and exposure time of the combination of quaternary ammonium compound with ethylendiamintetraacetic acid (EDTA) against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

Padjadjaran Journal of Dentistry ◽

10.24198/pjd.vol21no1.14082 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Swasty Dwirayunita

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Minimum Inhibitory Concentration ◽

Exposure Time ◽

Quaternary Ammonium ◽

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Inhibitory Concentration ◽

Quaternary Ammonium Compound ◽

Dilution Method ◽

Ammonium Compound ◽

Methicillin Resistant

The aim of this study was to determine The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and the exposure time of the combination of quaternary ammonium compound with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) towards Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus so that the combination can be applied as a disinfectant against MRSA.The tested bacteria MRSA was isolated from the RSGM of the Faculty of Dentistry Padjadjaran University. This laboratory experimental study was conducted based on a serial dilution method. The combination of quaternary ammonium compound with EDTA was diluted in 1/1000, 1/2000, 1/4000, 1/8000, 1/16000, 1/32000, 1/64000, and 1/128000 concentration.The result showed that the combination of quaternary ammonium compound with EDTA inhibited the MRSA on 1/1000, 1/2000 and 1/4000 concentrations. The effective exposure time to reduce the number of MRSA colonies are 2.5 and 3 minutes with 1/1000 concentration from the combination. In conclusion that the MIC of the combination of quaternary ammonium compound with EDTA is in 1/4000 concentration and the effective exposure time is more than 3 minutes.

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Novel Plasmid-Borne Gene qacJ Mediates Resistance to Quaternary Ammonium Compounds in Equine Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus simulans, and Staphylococcus intermedius

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.47.10.3046-3052.2003 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 47 (10) ◽

pp. 3046-3052 ◽

Cited By ~ 83

Author(s):

Jostein Bjorland ◽

Terje Steinum ◽

Marianne Sunde ◽

Steinar Waage ◽

Even Heir

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Quaternary Ammonium ◽

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ◽

Rolling Circle Replication ◽

Chronic Infections ◽

Skin Preparation ◽

Rolling Circle ◽

Staphylococcal Species ◽

Small Multidrug Resistance ◽

Ammonium Compounds

ABSTRACT We identified a novel plasmid-borne gene (designated qacJ) encoding resistance to quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) in three staphylococcal species associated with chronic infections in four horses. qacJ was located on a 2,650-bp plasmid (designated pNVH01), a new member of the pC194 family of rolling-circle replication plasmids. The 107-amino-acid protein, QacJ, showed similarities to known proteins of the small multidrug resistance family: Smr/QacC (72.5%), QacG (82.6%), and QacH (73.4%). The benzalkonium chloride MIC for a qacJ-containing recombinant was higher than those for otherwise isogenic recombinants expressing Smr, QacG, or QacH. Molecular epidemiological analyses by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis suggested both the clonal spread of a qacJ-harboring Staphylococcus aureus strain and the horizontal transfer of pNVH01 within and between different equine staphylococcal species. The presence of pNVH01 of identical nucleotide sequence in different staphylococcal species suggests that recent transfer has occurred. In three of the horses, a skin preparation containing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide had been used extensively for several years; this might explain the selection of staphylococci harboring the novel QAC resistance gene.

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