Chlorhexidine bacterial resistance

When prolonged treatment is required, topical antiseptics (e.g. chlorhexidine) are preferred and bacterial resistance is less of a problem. 

Response to a biocide depends upon the cellular stage of development. Sporulation, a process in which a bacterial spore develops from a vegetative cell, involves seven stages (I—VII Chapter 3) of these, stages IV-VII (cortex and coat development) are the most important in relation to the development of biocide resistance. Resistance to biocidal agents develops during sporulation and may be an early, intermediate or late/very late event. For example, resistance to chlorhexidine occurs at an intermediate stage, at about the same time as heat... 

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