Is it true that Household Disinfectants Promote Growth of Superbugs?”
Using disinfectants could cause bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics as well as the disinfectant itself. This finding could have important implications for how the spread of infection is managed in hospital settings. Researchers found that by adding increasing amounts of disinfectant to laboratory cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the bacteria could adapt to survive not only the disinfectant but also ciprofloxacin — a commonly-prescribed antibiotic — even without being exposed to it. The researchers showed that the bacteria had adapted to more efficiently pump out antimicrobial agents (disinfectant and antibiotic) from the bacterial cell. The adapted bacteria also had a mutation in their DNA that allowed them to resist ciprofloxacin-type antibiotics specifically. P. aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterium that can cause a wide range of infections in people with weak immune systems.
From io9.com: Common Household Cleaners Are Creating Mutant Superbugs We all know the overuse of antibiotics can create drug resistant bacteria, but a new study has confirmed that antibiotics aren’t the only worry. Put down the Clorox wipes and walk away from the coffee table, now! Scientists at the National University of Ireland tested the effectiveness of a common hospital and home disinfectant, benzalkonium chloride (BKC) on a easily found pathogen, pseudomonas aeruginosa. The pathogen tends to infect those already weakened by illness. What they found is that the pathogen will grow stronger when exposed repeatedly to small amounts of disinfectant. So if you skimp out on how much Pine-Sol you add to your mopping bucket, you may be turning your home into a superbug petri dish. While Fleming isn’t saying we shouldn’t use disinfectants, he does say they need to be used responsibly. Use the amount directed on the bottle and be aware that dilute
