Quaternary ammonium compounds resistance

The most successful of these products contain high ratios of VP to DMAEMA and are partially quatemized with diethyl sulfate (Polyquaternium 11) (142—144). They afford very hard, clear, lustrous, nonflaking films on the hair that are easily removed by shampooing. More recendy, copolymers with methyl vinyl imidazoliiim chloride (Polyquaternium 16) (145) or MAPTAC (methacrylamidopropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride) (Polyquaternium 28) have been introduced. Replacement of the ester group in DMAEMA with an amide analog as in Polyquaternium 28 results in a resin resistant to alkaline hydrolysis and hence greater utility in alkaline permanent-wave and bleach formulations (see Quaternary ammonium compounds). 

Viruses that contain hpid are inactivated by organic solvents such as chloroform and ether. Those without hpid are resistant to these agents. This distinction has been used to classify virases. Many of the chemical disinfectants used against bacteria, e.g. phenols, alcohols and quaternary ammonium compounds (Chapter 10), have minimal virucidal activity. The most generally active agents are chlorine, the hypochlorites, iodine, aldehydes and ethylene oxide. 

Like carbachol bethanechol is an esterase resistant quaternary ammonium compound which can be used for the same indications. 

Storey, R., and R. G. Wyn Jones. Quaternary ammonium compounds in plants in relation to salt resistance. Phytochemistry 1977 16 447-453. Krag, K. J. Plants used as contraceptives by the North American Indians. An ethnobotanic study. Thesis-by-Harvard University 1976 117 pp. Duehrssen, E., and K. H. Neumann. Characterization of satellite DNA of Daucus carota L. Z Pflanzenphysiol... 

The use of disinfectants such as triclosan and quaternary ammonium compounds and triclosan in homes and hospitals also leads to an enhanced selection for antibiotic-resistant bacteria (Russell, 2000 Kiicken et al., 2000 McMurray et al., 1998). Besides introducing resistance to bacteria, some antibiotics can also impose other effects. For example, a recent study by Vehcer et al. (2004) reported an intriguing association between cumulative exposure to all classes of antibiotics and breast cancer. Floroquinolones have also been imphcated in inducing tensions in the cartilage of immature animals (Hunt et al., 2002) and are generally deemed unsuitable for pediatric use. However, their presence in the environment can inadvertently introduce them to such susceptible individuals. 

In order to prevent the development of tolerances or resistances of the pathogens to the disinfectants, a regular change of the disinfectants is highly desirable. The aetive ingredients of surface disinfeetants are aldehydes (II, 2.), quaternary ammonium compounds (II, 18.1.), and phenolics (II, 7.). Alcohols can only be used for the disinfection of small areas due to the risk of explosions. The bacterial spores ought to be destroyed by peroxygen compounds, such as the peracetic add (El, 21.1.). 

The key point is that increasing evidence for co-resistance and cross-resistance between quaternary ammonium compounds and most antibiotics on the market (such as beta-lactams, chloramphenicol, fusidic acid, macrolides, quinolones, tetracyclines) has been found in many pathogenic bacteria, such as Escherichia coli. Listeria monocytogenes. Salmonella spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It seems reasonable to assume that resistance may also be present in many more species. The efflux pumps that confer resistance in these organisms can be encoded in plasmids or chromosomally. 

Hegstad K, Langsrud S, Lunestad BT, Scheie AA, Sunde M, Yazdankhah SP. Does the wide use of quaternary ammonium compounds enhance the selection and spread of antimicrobial resistance and thus threaten our health Microb Drug Resist 2010 16(2) 91-104. 

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