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Antibiotic Resistance pp 135–152Cite as

Antimicrobial Textiles

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Part of the book series: Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology ((HEP,volume 211))

Abstract

Bacteria have evolved unique mechanisms that allow them survive in the presence of strong selection pressures. Included in these mechanisms is the ability to share genetic determinants among and between species of bacteria thus spreading metal or antibiotic resistance traits quickly. The textile industry in response to demand has developed antimicrobial fabrics by the addition of bactericidal compounds during production. Some of these antimicrobials include metal nanoparticles, quaternary ammonia compounds, and broad spectrum compounds like triclosan. Bacteria have already expressed resistance to each of these bactericides. Here we discuss the evolutionary and ecological consequences of antimicrobial textiles in terms of co-selection. We predict that continued use of such materials could result in increased and widespread resistance to specific antimicrobials, especially metals, with an increased resistance to antibiotics. Such increases have the potential to find their way into other bacterial populations of human pathogens leading to serious and unintended public health consequences.

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Acknowledgements

Preparation of this chapter was partially supported by the US Department of Energy under Award Number DE-FC09-07SR225056 to the University of Georgia Research Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, 29803, USA

    J. Vaun McArthur & R. C. Tuckfield

  2. Cefas, Weymouth Laboratory, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8UB, UK

    C. Baker-Austin

Authors
  1. J. Vaun McArthur
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  2. R. C. Tuckfield
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  3. C. Baker-Austin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Vaun McArthur .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Div of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, St. George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom

    Anthony R.M. Coates

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McArthur, J.V., Tuckfield, R.C., Baker-Austin, C. (2012). Antimicrobial Textiles. In: Coates, A. (eds) Antibiotic Resistance. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, vol 211. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-28951-4_9

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