Category Research project
  • Mikrobiologie

Impact of biocides on the dissemination of antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli

Project status
Completed
Project start
Apr 2020
Project end
Mar 2022
Acronym
BiozAR
Department
Biologische Sicherheit

Description and Objective

The BiozAR project collects data on the susceptibility of the zoonotic pathogen E. colishort forEscherichia coli to disinfectants used in hospitals and along the food chain. Isolates of different origin (from ambulatory care, from hospitalized patients, from colonized animals and from contaminated food) will be compared to identify susceptibility patterns putatively related to specific subpopulations. We will investigate whether reduced biocide susceptibility is associated with increased antibiotic resistance. In this way, we will better understand to which extent the application of biocides may select for tolerant E. colishort forEscherichia coli and contribute to the development and dissemination of antibiotic resistance in hospitals and the food web. Molecular biological analyses will show whether sub-inhibitory biocide concentrations can mobilize resistance-coding plasmids in E. colishort forEscherichia coli. Statistical methods for the prediction of antibiotic resistance on the basis of genomic data are already in use. We will investigate whether biocide tolerances can also be predicted by using publicly available whole genome sequencing data and the novel dataset generated within BiozAR. Our findings may lead to recommendations for improved disinfection strategies in hospitals and food production.

Result

In the BiozAR project, we gained valuable insights into the dangers of the development and accumulation of resistance through the use of biocides in E. coli. On this basis, recommendations can be derived that will contribute to the optimized use of disinfectants and antiseptics in the clinical environment as well as in food production and animal husbandry in the future. The trained models for predicting the biocide susceptibility phenotype based on whole genome data provide the basis for building a biocide susceptibility database for specific substance-species combinations. In the future, such a platform can provide crucial information for the selection of suitable substances for disinfection.

Type of project

Third-party funded project

Areas of research

Gesundheit von Mensch, Tier und Umwelt (One Health) / Expositionsabschätzung und Bewertung biologischer Risiken

Organisational units and partners

Lead unit: Produkthygiene und Desinfektionsstrategien (47)
Contact persons: Dr. Ralf Dieckmann, Dr. Szilvia Neuhaus
External partner: Universitätsklinikum Jena, Freie Universität Berlin

Funding body and grant number

Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
01KI1907

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