Bacterial Resistance to Disinfectants in common office areas

Abstract

Introduction. The use of different chemical agents for the attenuation, treatment and control of microorganisms has been increasing, the lack of control and knowledge of these products is generating a change in the genome in microorganisms, causing resistance to normal concentrations of biocides. Objective: To carry out a systematic review on bacterial resistance to disinfectants in common office areas. Methods: Systematic review of databases; Scielo, Elsevier, Pubmed and ACS Publications research, and secondary sources such as PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) and WHO (World Health Organization), among others, using terms such as; Bacterial resistance, disinfection, occupational or professional diseases and resistance to disinfectants. Results: Enterobacter sp.: resistant to Quaternary Ammonium (QAC), halogen-based disinfectants and 37% formaldehyde; Pseudomonas aeruginosa: 71% of isolates multiresistant to antibiotics, 43% reduced susceptibility to QAC, triclosan (TC) and Benzalkonium (BAC), and 24 isolates resistant to antimicrobial agents. M. massiliense BRA 100 susceptible to orthophthaldehyde (OPA), peracetic acid (PA), and high concentrations of glutaraldehyde. Clinical isolates of multiresistant strains to antibiotics such as: MRSA, Enterococcus sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 52% and 38% strains were resistant to quaternary ammonium and phenol compounds, respectively. Conclusions: The presence of resistant microorganisms in common places such as; floors, light switches, door handles, desks and chairs, among others, enunciates a public health problem that must begin to be addressed, changing the methodologies used for disinfection, and other control and prevention measures.