Skip Navigation



JAC Advance Access published online on September 30, 2003
Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, doi:10.1093/jac/dkg422
© 2003 by The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
This Article
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF) Freely available
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
52/5/750    most recent
dkg422v1
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Disclaimer
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Russell, A. D.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Russell, A. D.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

© 2003 The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy

Review

Similarities and differences in the responses of microorganisms to biocides

A. D. Russell 1 *

1 Welsh School of Pharmacy, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3XF, UK

* Corresponding author. E-mail: russellD2{at}cardiff.ac.uk.

Abstract

Unlike antibiotics, biocides are multi-targeted antimicrobial agents. Several of the damaging effects reported to occur in the most widely studied organisms, bacteria, may also take place to varying degrees in other organisms. Nevertheless, there is considerable variation in the response of different microorganisms to biocides. Bacteria themselves (Gram-positive and Gram-negative vegetative organisms, mycobacteria and spores) respond differently to biocides and this disparity is widened when yeasts, moulds, protozoa and algae are considered. The underlying reasons for these varied responses are poorly understood at present, but the chemical composition of outer cellular layers is likely to be a factor of prime importance. Other possible contributory factors may be differences in stress responses, the presence of efflux pumps and cells occurring within biofilms or algal mats.

Keywords: microbes, microbial response, mechanisms of biocide action, microbial resistance
Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Antimicrob. Agents Chemother.Home page
A. K. Mangalappalli-Illathu, S. Vidovic, and D. R. Korber
Differential Adaptive Response and Survival of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis Planktonic and Biofilm Cells Exposed to Benzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., October 1, 2008; 52(10): 3669 - 3680.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Appl. Environ. Microbiol.Home page
H.-L. Alakomi, A. Paananen, M.-L. Suihko, I. M. Helander, and M. Saarela
Weakening effect of cell permeabilizers on gram-negative bacteria causing biodeterioration.
Appl. Envir. Microbiol., July 1, 2006; 72(7): 4695 - 4703.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Appl. Environ. Microbiol.Home page
T. N. Demidova and M. R. Hamblin
Photodynamic Inactivation of Bacillus Spores, Mediated by Phenothiazinium Dyes
Appl. Envir. Microbiol., November 1, 2005; 71(11): 6918 - 6925.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J Med MicrobiolHome page
A. M. Tortorano, M. A. Viviani, E. Biraghi, A. L. Rigoni, A. Prigitano, R. Grillot, and and the EBGA Network
In vitro testing of fungicidal activity of biocides against Aspergillus fumigatus
J. Med. Microbiol., October 1, 2005; 54(10): 955 - 957.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J Antimicrob ChemotherHome page
M. G. Escalada, J. L. Harwood, J.-Y. Maillard, and D. Ochs
Triclosan inhibition of fatty acid synthesis and its effect on growth of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
J. Antimicrob. Chemother., June 1, 2005; 55(6): 879 - 882.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J Antimicrob ChemotherHome page
A. D. Russell
Whither triclosan?
J. Antimicrob. Chemother., May 1, 2004; 53(5): 693 - 695.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.