How can bacteria become resistant to biocides or antibiotics?
4.1 Some bacteria are naturally unaffected by antimicrobial products. Other bacteria find ways to keep their inside concentration of biocides at levels that are harmless to them, for instance by limiting the amount that penetrates the cell or by pumping biocides out. Some bacteria can use enzymes to alter antimicrobial products or can modify their external envelope so that products cannot penetrate inside the cell. Of particular concern are bacteria that become resistant because they acquire resistance genes from other bacteria. More…
