Bacteria increasingly resistant to hand sanitizer in hospitals — 6 study findings in 'Science Translational Medicine'

Bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to alcohol-based disinfectants used in hospitals, such as hand rubs, according to a study published in Science Translational Medicine.

Researchers tested alcohol tolerance of 139 hospital isolates of Enterococcus faecium collected between 1997 and 2015.

Here's what they found:

1. E. faecium has developed increased tolerance to alcohol-based disinfectants widely used for infection control in hospitals.

2. E. faecium isolates after 2010 were 10 times more resistant to alcohol than older isolates were.

3. In a mouse gut colonization model, alcohol-tolerant E. faecium resisted standard 70 percent isopropanol surface disinfection, causing greater gut colonization than alcohol-sensitive E. faecium.

4. Alcohol-tolerant E. faecium developed mutations in genes involved in carbohydrate uptake and metabolism, meaning these genes play a role in E. faecium's isopropanol tolerance.

5. The growing resistance might help explain a recent increase in healthcare infections caused by E. faecium.

6. Researchers concluded bacterial adaptation makes it necessary to develop additional procedures to prevent E. faecium from spreading in hospital settings.

More articles on quality:
How machine learning can benefit the healthcare industry: 3 key report details
AHRQ outlines methods for improving patient care through simulation: 5 important facts
5 key study findings on how automated pathology can make GI practices more efficient

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.

 


Patient Safety Tools & Resources Database

Featured Webinars

Featured Whitepapers

Featured Podcast