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Chemicals used to kill bacteria could be making them stronger. Low
levels of biocides, which are used in disinfectants and antiseptics to
kill microbes, can make the potentially lethal bacterium Staphylococcus
aureus remove toxic chemicals more efficiently, potentially making it
resistant to being killed by some antibiotics.
Biocides are commonly used in cleaning hospitals and home
environments, sterilizing medical equipment and decontaminating skin
before surgery. At the correct strength, biocides kill bacteria and
other microbes. But if lower levels are used, the bacteria can survive
and become resistant to treatment.
Researchers exposed S. aureus taken from the blood of patients to
low concentrations of several biocides. Exposure to low concentrations
of a variety of biocides resulted in the appearance of resistant
mutants.
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