The Linkage Between Antibiotics and Biocides Resistance in Some Gram Positive Cocci

Concern has been raised that the widespread use of biocides, in hospital, domiciliary, industrial, and other settings, may be a contributory factor to the development of antibiotic resistance among microbes. Staphylococci and enterococci are the most commonly isolated bacteria causing nosocomial infections and they are able to acquire resistance rapidly to frequently used drugs. Therefore, it was the aim of the current study to find whether there is a solid evidence of linkage between resistance to antibiotics and biocides in some Gram positive cocci.A total of 92 isolates of staphylococci and enterococci were isolated from various clinical specimens collected from Zagazig University Hospitals including pus and stool specimens and throat swabs from patients with clinically diagnosed pharyngitis. In addition, a total of 126 isolates of staphylococci and enterococci were isolated from environmental specimens including swabs from environmental surfaces in intensive care unit in Zagazig University Hospitals, nasal and skin swabs from healthy individuals, milk and meat products, surface swabs from a local slaughterhouse, and sewage specimens.