Misuse of antibiotics has been associated with the rise of resistant strains of pathogens that have plagued hospitals in the US. New research suggests that misuse of disinfectants may also play a role in the spread of superbugs. Researchers examined whether benzalkonium chloride, a common disinfectant, might lead to resistant strains of a certain bacterium known to cause disease in people with weakened immune systems.
Their results showed that the bacteria eventually became resistant to the disinfectant, as well as the antibiotic Cipro. Since the research took place in a lab, we shouldn’t necessarily jump to conclusions about its relevance to real-life situations. However, the scientists behind the research have a few recommendations about household use of disinfectants. For one, they should not be diluted, as that may allow some bacteria to survive and breed other resistant bacteria. Also, ample time should be afforded to let the disinfectants work so that the vast majority of bacteria are killed. Disinfectants shouldn’t be avoided altogether, they should just be used more wisely to avoid contributing to the superbug epidemic.
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