TY - CONF A1 - Sobisch, Lydia-Yasmin T1 - Identification of Genes Involved in Susceptibility to Biocides in Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria N2 - Microbially induced corrosion (MIC) poses a significant challenge in various industries, leading to structural damage and economic losses due to the activity of microorganisms on metal surfaces. The major culprits of MIC are the sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). A common mitigation method is the usage of biocides to prevent MIC. However, the molecular mechanisms that determine susceptibility of SRB to biocides have been poorly understood. Our aim is to identify genes that are linked to biocide susceptibility in the model SRB strain Oleidesulfovibrio alaskensis (G20). We investigated the susceptibility of G20 towards three biocides commonly used in MIC protection: benzalkonium chloride (BAC), glutaraldehyde (GTA), and tetrakishydroxymethyl phosphonium sulphate (THPS). We determined selection of mutants in specific genes in two G20 barcoded transposon mutant libraries in the presence of these biocides and media as control along a concentration gradient up to 500 ppm. Our study investigated over 1843 genes in G20, revealing insights into their response to biocide treatments. We identified 1668 genes negatively affected by biocide treatment, while 175 genes showed improved fitness. Among the treatments leading to reduced fitness in the mutants, GTA had the highest number of solely negatively affected genes (186), followed by BAC (67) and THPS (69). There were common negative impacts on 280 genes of all four treatments (BAC, GTA, THPS, control). Notably, BAC and GTA shared 113 affected genes, BAC and THPS shared 59, and GTA and THPS shared 72. On the single gene level, mutants treated with THPS exhibited reduced fitness for the rluD gene (DDE_1447), encoding ribosomal large subunit pseudouridine synthase d, which plays a crucial role in protein biosynthesis. In the presence of BAC, mutants showed reduced fitness due to the lack of the acrB gene (DDE_0401), encoding a cationic efflux pump crucial for biocide resistance. Our findings provide leads for future research into the detailed molecular mechanisms that underlie biocide susceptibility in microorganisms responsible for MIC. Such detailed understanding will enable the development of improved MIC prevention strategies and foster a more sustainable use of biocides. T2 - International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation Symposium CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 09.09.2024 KW - Biocide Resistance KW - Transposon Mutant Libraries KW - Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria (SRB) KW - Microbially Induced Corrosion (MIC) PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-61526 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Schreiber, Frank T1 - How to regulate and assess resistance risks of co-selecting agents during application and in the environment N2 - This talk deals with the question on How to regulate and assess resistance risks of co-selecting agents during application and in the environment. It shows that there the overview of worldwide activities to regulate co-selecting agents is missing. Regulations for product authorization usually consider resistance in target organisms, but there is a risk of emergence of resistance from non-target organisms as well. Moreover, pollution effects on resistance development in the environment are not explicitly covered during product authorization and few risk assessment schemes and methods available. T2 - EDAR7 - Environmental Dimension of Antimicrobial Resistance Conference 2024 CY - Montreal, Canada DA - 26.05.2024 KW - Antimicrobial resistance KW - Bacteria KW - Standardization KW - Biocides PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-61542 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Kanaris, Orestis T1 - Metabolic niches and persistence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in the environment N2 - Background and Aim: Wastewater treatment plants are considered as hotspots for the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistant bacteria (ARB) can persist in the environment for long periods of time, despite metabolic fitness costs that can arise with resistance. We are interested in understanding the mechanisms, which allow ARB to persist in the environment. More specifically, we want to identify metabolic niches that can select for resistant bacteria. Procedure/Method: 62 E. coli strains isolated from different WWTPs in Norway were used. The isolates have different levels of resistance to 14 antibiotics. The susceptibility of the isolates to 3 disinfectants was determined. In addition, genome scale metabolic models (GEMs) were constructed and the growth of the strains was simulated in the presence of 198 different carbon sources. Furthermore, the growth rates of the isolates were measured in the presence of 3 carbon sources. Findings/Results: Many of the isolates have high resistance to multiple antibiotics but only few of the isolates have higher minimum inhibitory concentrations to the disinfectants, compared to an E. coli laboratory strain. With the GEMs, we identified 40 carbon sources that can be utilized for growth only by a portion of all the isolates. The prediction accuracy of the GEMs was 93% in the case of D-Malate. A group of 10 isolates was identified of which 5 isolates are resistant to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and tetracycline and can grow on Sucrose but not on D-Malate and the other 5 isolates are susceptible to the same 3 antibiotics but can grow on D-Malate and not on Sucrose. Implications/Applications: Our data suggest that changing the available carbon source could shift the selection advantage between resistant and susceptible bacterial strains. If this strategy is confirmed experimentally, it could be applied to reduce the number of ARB in environments like wastewater. T2 - Conference on the Environmental dimentions of antimicrobial resistance 7 CY - Montreal, Canada DA - 26.05.2024 KW - Antimicrobial resistance KW - Wastewater PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-61410 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Meermann, Björn T1 - Element analytical approaches for emerging contaminant analysis-materials meet environment N2 - Im Rahmen des Vortrags wurden Elementanalytische Methoden auf Basis der ICP-MS und HR-CS-GFMAS im Kontext der Material-Umweltanalytik in Form eines Übersichtsvortrags vorgestellt. Neben den Techniken wurden diverse Applikationsbeispiele für unterschiedliche Umweltmatrizes genannt. T2 - ANAKON 2025 CY - Leipzig, Germany DA - 10.03.2025 KW - ICP-MS KW - Emerging contaminants KW - Evironment PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-65126 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Meermann, Björn T1 - Approaches for PFAS Sum-Parameter Analysis - from Materials to Environment N2 - Im Rahmen des Vortags wurden PFAS Analysemethoden auf Basis der optischen Spektroskopie (HR-CS-GFMAS) vorgestellt. Anhand ausgewählter Applikationsbeispiele wurde die Leistungsfähigkeit der Methode dargelegt. Beispiele waren dabei u.a. aus dem Bereich Oberflächenwasseranalytik, Pflanzen und Böden. T2 - Industrie Anwenderseminar PFAS 2025 CY - Online meeting DA - 30.06.2025 KW - PFAS KW - HR-CS-GFMAS KW - Summenparameter PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-65125 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Meermann, Björn T1 - Approaches for PFAS Sum-Parameter Analysis -from Materials to Environment N2 - Im Rahmen des Vortags wurden PFAS Analysemethoden auf Basis der optischen Spektroskopie (HR-CS-GFMAS) vorgestellt. Anhand ausgewählter Applikationsbeispiele wurde die Leistungsfähigkeit der Methode dargelegt. Beispiele waren dabei u.a. aus dem Bereich Oberflächenwasseranalytik, Pflanzen und Böden. T2 - VD LUFA Kongress CY - Oldenburg, Germany DA - 09.09.2025 KW - HR-CS-GFMAS KW - PFAS KW - Summenparameter PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-65127 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Gluth, Gregor T1 - Microbially induced corrosion of cementitious materials in sewer systems N2 - Sewer networks (also called wastewater systems) include structures to collect and transport wastewater to disposal or treatment in dedicated facilities. These networks are essential infrastructures of our societies, and the size of these systems in terms of length as well as asset value is usually vast. Accordingly, the annual rehabilitation and replacement costs for sewer networks are very high in many countries. In addition, failures of wastewater systems can cause severe health and environmental problems, making the durability of these infrastructures an issue of crucial societal importance. A substantial fraction of the deterioration of sewers is caused by microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) of concrete structures in the networks, and, thus, understanding the causes of this process is crucial to be able to effectively direct resources for rehabilitation, replacement and construction of sewer systems. Because of the importance of the problem, it has been studied for many decades, and significant progress has been made during this time. In recent years, answers to several previously underexplored questions, for example regarding the validity of the different test methods to assess the resistance of cementitious materials against MIC and the suitability of new cementitious materials for sewer repair, have begun to emerge. The present contribution gives an overview over the processes involved in MIC of cementitious materials in sewers, and reviews recent findings concerning the resistance of cementitious materials against MIC. The data indicate that alkali-activated materials can exhibit exceptionally high resistance against MIC, while it is presently not fully understood which mix design parameters deter¬mine this resistance. Disagreement exists in the literature regarding the causes of the generally high resistance of calcium aluminate cements. Significant progress has been made in determining the deterioration rate of cementitious materials under strongly corroding conditions, but well-founded approaches to classify the severity of MIC attack in sewers seem not to be available at present. T2 - MICxUS 2025 – Symposium on Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) in Industrial and Utility Systems CY - Nicosia, Cyprus DA - 21.01.2025 KW - MIC KW - Cement KW - Repair mortar KW - Sulfuric acid KW - Sewers PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-62738 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Schreiber, Frank T1 - Hydro-Touch test - Evaluation of Transfer of Microorganisms to Non-porous Surfaces and their antimicrobial Activity N2 - This presentation describes a new test procedure that allows to determine the transfer of microorganisms to surfaces and to measure the antimicrobial efficacy of those surfaces. The main improvement of the method is that is assesses the effect of the surfaces under semi-dry, realistic conditions by transferring microorganisms via a gelatin pad linked to a stamp of defined weight. Comparing the performance of the established antimicrobial materials with currently used wet test methods and the newly developed method shows reduced antimicrobial activity of those materials under semi-dry conditions. T2 - 64. Sitzung des DIN NA 176-03-06 AA „Chemische Desinfektionsmittel und Antiseptika in der Humanmedizin“ CY - Online meeting DA - 29.09.2025 KW - Antimicrobial surfaces KW - Standardization PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64870 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Nordholt, Niclas T1 - Phenotypic heterogeneity in bacterial lag times and antibiotic tolerance induced by the disinfectant glutaraldehydePhenotypic heterogeneity in bacterial lag times and antibiotic tolerance induced by the disinfectant glutaraldehyde N2 - Phenotypic heterogeneity in clonal bacterial populations can be considered a preliminary stage of functional differentiation, which may increase population fitness in fluctuating environments. Here, we investigated how transient exposure of clonal bacterial populations to residual amounts of a commonly used disinfectant, glutaraldehyde (GTA), induces phenotypic heterogeneity, ensuring survival of the population upon sudden challenge with high doses of antibiotics. Using the ScanLag system, we found that exposure to GTA resulted in wide lag-time distributions across different bacterial isolates of E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa. Importantly, this was associated with elevated levels of survival (i.e. tolerance) towards lethal doses of antibiotics. As revealed by RNAseq in E. coli, GTA exposure caused global transcriptome remodeling, with more than 1200 differentially expressed genes of diverse biological functions. Several of these genes that were not previously associated with antibiotic tolerance or persistence induced, when overexpressed alone, antibiotic tolerance without showing a lag phenotype. This suggests that exposure to GTA induces unspecific, lag-dependent and specific, lag-independent tolerance to antibiotics in clonal bacterial populations. These findings have implications for 1.) settings where disinfectants and antibiotics are used in close proximity, such as hospitals and animal husbandry, and 2.) for the selection dynamics of tolerant pheno- and genotypes in fluctuating environments because of the trade-off that arises from exiting lag and resuming growth as fast as possible and maintaining antibiotic tolerance. This trade-off may be weakened by phenotypically heterogeneous clonal populations as induced by GTA. T2 - FAST REAL Project Meeting Tartu CY - Tartu, Estonia DA - 16.06.2025 KW - Biocides KW - Biocide resistance KW - Phenotypic heterogeneity KW - Glutaraldehyde KW - Disinfectants PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-63834 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Kanaris, Orestis T1 - Identification of metabolic niches and their association to the persistence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in wastewater N2 - Wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) are hotspots for the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistant bacteria (ARB) can persist in the environment for long periods of time, despite metabolic fitness costs that often arise with resistance. Recent research efforts are striving to uncover the role of bacterial metabolism for the ecology and evolution of antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study is to understand the ecological mechanisms, which allow ARB to persist in the environment. More specifically, we aim to identify metabolic niches that can select for and against resistant bacteria. 62 E. coli strains isolated from different WWTPs with different levels of resistance to 14 antibiotics and 3 disinfectants were assembled, sequenced, and phenotypically characterized. Next, genome scale metabolic models (GEMs) were constructed, and the growth of the strains was simulated in the presence of 298 different carbon sources. Furthermore, the growth rates of the isolates were measured in the presence of 3 carbon sources to verify the model predictions. Competition experiments with synthetic microbial communities consisting of a selection of 10 WWTP isolates, 5 of which were antibiotic resistant and 5 sensitive, were carried out in minimal medium with different carbon sources. Population dynamics modelling was used to simulate the competition of isolates under different conditions. The isolates have a wide range of susceptibility to the antibiotics, while disinfectants result in a narrower range of susceptibility. GEMs identified 40 carbon sources that can be utilized for growth only by a portion of all the isolates. The prediction accuracy of the GEMs was 93% in the case of D-malate. A range of WWTP isolates were identified which use D-malate as carbon source and are susceptible to specific antibiotics. In contrast, antibiotic-resistant WWTP isolates were identified that did use sucrose as carbon source but not D-malate. Competition experiments demonstrated that changing the carbon source of the medium from sucrose to D-malate resulted in selection against the resistant isolates. Modelling the competition between isolates under different conditions suggests that adding a carbon source to a bacterial community under specific conditions could exclude resistant bacteria from a microbial community. Our data suggest that changing the available carbon source could shift the selection advantage between resistant and susceptible bacterial strains. If this strategy is confirmed experimentally in complex microbial communities, it could be applied to reduce the number of ARB in environments such as wastewater. T2 - FEMS micro Konferenz CY - Milan, Italy DA - 14.07.2025 KW - AMR KW - Wastewater KW - Genome-scale metabolic model PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64659 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Marano, Roberto T1 - A Customizable Procedure for Predicting Antibiotic Resistance Selection on Novel Antimicrobial Coatings N2 - The global burden of antimicrobial resistance (AR) has manifested in an increasing number of deaths attributable to antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in recent years, with projections indicating a continued rise. Combating AR requires a multifaceted approach, one aspect of which involves preventing the spread of ARB in hospital environments via high-touch surfaces, which are known contributors to nosocomial infections. In conjunction with routine disinfection protocols and infection prevention measures, antimicrobial surfaces or antimicrobial coatings (AC) are increasingly being investigated and implemented to reduce microbial transmission via high-touch surfaces, thereby mitigating their spread in healthcare settings. However, similar to antibiotics, prolonged use of such surfaces may lead to the direct or indirect selection of ARB. To prevent this, targeted tests must be developed to predict potential AR selection before AC implementation. Materials and Methods As part of the Horizon-Europe-funded project "STOP" (Grant Agreement ID: 101057961), a novel antimicrobial coating is being developed and tested to reduce pathogen transfer on surfaces without selecting for ARB. To this end, two bacterial libraries (80 strains each) were assembled from the two species most associated with AR-attributable mortality worldwide, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, as identified in the most recent comprehensive study [1]. Each library maintains a 50/50% ratio of strains resistant or sensitive to third-generation cephalosporins (E. coli) and methicillin (S. aureus), respectively—representing two of the most widespread resistance profiles. An adapted ISO 22196 method was developed using a reference benchmark antimicrobial surface (i.e., copper), with stainless steel serving as a control. The goal was to infer potential advantages of copper-unrelated antibiotic resistance phenotypes on the tested surface. Results Metadata, genomic data, and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) data were collected for all selected strains in each library, ensuring diversity in sequence types (ST) of clinical relevance, antibiotic resistance gene profiles, and geographical origins. The method was calibrated on copper surfaces using a reference E. coli strain, establishing the initial parameters required for investigators to customize the test for a given AC. Procedural reproducibility was assessed by comparing results from independent operators. Discussion The two libraries are currently being screened against the selected copper surfaces to identify potential associations between the resistance phenotypes of the tested species and their observed survival rates post-exposure. Three mutually exclusive outcomes are anticipated: (i) a statistically significant survival advantage of resistant strains compared to sensitive strains, (ii) an inverse scenario where sensitive strains exhibit higher survival, or (iii) no significant difference between the two groups. Furthermore, post hoc principal component analysis utilizing metadata and AST data may help elucidate genetic traits that confer a survival advantage on the tested AC. Conclusions This test aims to assist developers of antimicrobial coatings and materials in assessing potential selective pressures toward ARB before these products are implemented and evaluated under real-life conditions. T2 - ESB Conference CY - Torino, Italy DA - 07.09.2025 KW - Antimicrobial-resistance KW - Surface antimicrobial testing KW - Materials testing PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64569 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Kanaris, Orestis T1 - Metabolic niches and persistence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in the environment N2 - Background and Aim: Wastewater treatment plants are considered as hotspots for the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistant bacteria (ARB) can persist in the environment for long periods of time, despite metabolic fitness costs that can arise with resistance. We are interested in understanding the mechanisms, which allow ARB to persist in the environment. More specifically, we want to identify metabolic niches that can select for resistant bacteria. Procedure/Method: 62 E. coli strains isolated from different WWTPs in Norway were used. The isolates have different levels of resistance to 14 antibiotics. The susceptibility of the isolates to 3 disinfectants was determined. In addition, genome scale metabolic models (GEMs) were constructed and the growth of the strains was simulated in the presence of 198 different carbon sources. Furthermore, the growth rates of the isolates were measured in the presence of 3 carbon sources. Findings/Results: Many of the isolates have high resistance to multiple antibiotics but only few of the isolates have higher minimum inhibitory concentrations to the disinfectants, compared to an E. coli laboratory strain. With the GEMs, we identified 40 carbon sources that can be utilized for growth only by a portion of all the isolates. The prediction accuracy of the GEMs was 93% in the case of D-Malate. A group of 10 isolates was identified of which 5 isolates are resistant to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and tetracycline and can grow on Sucrose but not on D-Malate and the other 5 isolates are susceptible to the same 3 antibiotics but can grow on D-Malate and not on Sucrose. Implications/Applications: Our data suggest that changing the available carbon source could shift the selection advantage between resistant and susceptible bacterial strains. If this strategy is confirmed experimentally, it could be applied to reduce the number of ARB in environments such as wastewater. T2 - International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation Symposium 19 CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 09.09.2024 KW - Antimicrobial resistance KW - Wastewater PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-61412 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Marano, Roberto T1 - Antimicrobial coatings: modes of action, microbiological efficacy testing, and resistance evolution N2 - Within the Horizon-Europe funded project “STOP: Surface Transfer Of Pathogens”, Grant agreement 101057961, Working Package 6 is currently working on developing tests aimed at predicting possible selection and/or evolution of antibiotic resistance onto antimicrobial coatings meant for high-touch surfaces. This presentation describes the devised protocols and the preliminary results of their application on copper as a benchmark antimicrobial material. T2 - STOP-project Meeting CY - Sofia, Bulgaria DA - 27.02.2025 KW - Antimicrobial-resistance KW - Surface antimicrobial testing KW - Materials testing PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64567 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Schreiber, Frank T1 - Mechanisms and evolution of resistance to antimicrobial biocides N2 - Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health problem with the environment being an important compartment for the evolution, selection and transmission of AMR. These processes are impacted by pollution with antibiotics. However, antimicrobial biocides used as disinfectants and material preservatives are major pollutants exceeding the antibiotic market in terms of chemical diversity and mass. The aim of our work is to understand the mechanisms and risks of biocides for resistance and antibiotic cross-resistance evolution in bacteria to optimize their application and safeguard their efficacy. Our work shows that biocides have the potential to affect evolutionary processes towards AMR by increasing the rates of de-novo mutation and conjugation. Importantly, widely used compounds such as chlorhexidine and quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) affect rates of mutation and conjugation at environmentally relevant concentrations. Furthermore, we show that single-cell phenotypic heterogeneity regarding tolerance (persistence) determines survival against specific biocides including QACs and isopropanol. Mechanistic investigations reveal that known antibiotic persister mechanisms contribute to persister formation to biocides. The evolution of high-level tolerance to different biocides is linked to the initial persister level and the evolution of specific genetically encoded mechanisms related to properties of the cell envelope. Biocide-tolerant strains have a selective advantage in the presence of environmentally-relevant concentrations of antibiotics, which could lead to the stabilization of biocide tolerance in environments where biocides and antibiotics co-occur (e.g. wastewater, animal stables). Taken together, our work shows the importance of assessing the contribution of biocides on evolution and selection of AMR in the environment. T2 - EMBO Symposium on Mechanisms of drug resistance and tolerance in bacteria, fungi, and cancer CY - Heidelberg, Germany DA - 18.03.2025 KW - Antimicrobial surfaces KW - Biocides KW - Antimicrobial resistance PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64866 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Marano, Roberto T1 - Antimicrobial coatings: modes of action, microbiological efficacy testing, and resistance evolution N2 - Antimicrobial coatings and materials on high touch surfaces can provide additional level of protection to periodic disinfection cycles by reducing bacterial loads. However, different coatings and materials assert their antimicrobial activity in different ways, and it is not clear whether they could pose detrimental selective pressure towards antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This talk elucidates modes of actions and current knowledge gaps in testing antimicrobial resistance on antimicrobial surfaces.” T2 - STOP Antimicrobial Coating Conference CY - Mons, Belgium DA - 05.12.2024 KW - Antimicrobial-resistance KW - Surface antimicrobial testing KW - Materials testing PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64566 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Marano, Roberto T1 - A Customizable Procedure for Predicting Antibiotic Resistance Selection on Novel Antimicrobial Coatings N2 - This presentation introduceda new methodological approach developed to test antimocrobials implemented on high touch surfaces, inlcuding preliminary results on its use on reference antimicrobial materials. The seminar was organized by the 'Fast-real' project, funded by the Horizon Europe (project ID: 101159721). T2 - Novel strategies and considerations in fighting pathogens CY - Tartu, Estonia DA - 16.06.2025 KW - Antimicrobial-resistance KW - Surface antimicrobial testing KW - Materials testing PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64568 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Schreiber, Frank T1 - Resistance evolution towards biocides and antimicrobial surfaces N2 - Biocides, including disinfectants and antimicrobial surfaces (AMCs), are important to prevent the spread of pathogens and antimicrobial resistant bacteria via surfaces. However, concerns have been raised about the evolution and selection of resistance against disinfectants and AMCs. In turn, resistance against disinfectants and AMCs can be associated to antibiotic resistance due to cross-resistance and co-resistance. We need to understand the mechanisms and risks of disinfectants and AMCs for resistance and cross-resistance evolution to optimize their application and safeguard their long-term efficacy. We used adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) experiments based on repeated exposure of bacteria to disinfectants. Our results show that repeated disinfection of E. coli with benzalkonium chloride in suspension results in a 2000-fold increase in survival within 5 exposure cycles. Adaption is linked to the initial presence of persister cells highly tolerant to benzalkonium chloride. We used the same approach to develop standardizable ALE experiments to determine resistance evolution to AMCs. The results highlight rapid adaptation of E. coli and P. aeruginosa towards copper surfaces. Moreover, there are multiple situations in the clinic or in the environment in which biocides and antibiotics co-occur and in which combination effects can shape their antimicrobial activity or their selective effects. Our work with P. aeruginosa shows prevalent combination effects of biocides and antibiotics, ranging from synergy to antagonism and resulting in the selection for or against antibiotic resistant strains. The combination effects are dependent on the biofilm mode-of-growth, manifesting in apparent differences in the structural arrangement of antibiotic sensitive and resistant strains in biofilms exposed to combinations. Furthermore, biocides affect rates of mutation and horizontal gene transfer, thereby having a potential facilitating effect on resistance evolution. Taken together, our work shows that the role of biocides as potential drivers of resistance evolution and selection deserves further study and regulative action. T2 - Eurobiofilms 2022 CY - Palma, Spain DA - 31.08.2022 KW - Antimicrobial resistance KW - Bacteria KW - Biofilms KW - Biocides KW - Antimicrobial surfaces PY - 2022 AN - OPUS4-55608 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Schreiber, Frank T1 - Biocides as drivers for the evolution of antimicrobial resistance N2 - This presentation provides an overview about how biocides drive the evolution of antimicrobial resistance during application and as pollutants in the environment. The presentation shows that biocides can lead to heterogeneous killing, facilitating tolerance evolution. This evolution is related to decreased susceptibility to antibiotics and has potential for co-selection. In contrast, evolved tolerance can limit antibiotic evolvability via epistatic interactions. Moreover, biocides can co-select for antibiotic resistance in wastewater and affect rates of mutation and horizontal gene transfer. Biocides and antibiotics show strong combination effects with consequences for selection of antibiotic resistance. T2 - Novel strategies and considerations in fighting pathogens CY - Tartu, Estonia DA - 16.06.2025 KW - Antimicrobial surfaces KW - Biocides KW - Antimicrobial resistance KW - Standardization PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64867 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Schreiber, Frank T1 - Biocides as drivers for the Selection and evolution of antimicrobial resistance N2 - Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health problem with the environment being an important compartment for the evolution, selection and transmission of AMR. These processes are impacted by pollution with antibiotics. However, antimicrobial biocides used as disinfectants and material preservatives are major pollutants exceeding the antibiotic market in terms of chemical diversity and mass. The aim of our work is to understand the mechanisms and risks of biocides for resistance and antibiotic cross-resistance evolution in bacteria to optimize their application and safeguard their efficacy. We use adaptive laboratory evolution experiments, phenotypic characterization, single-cell analysis, whole genome sequencing, and competition experiments to investigate AMR evolution and selection of the model organism E. coli in the presence of biocides. Our work shows that biocides have the potential to affect evolutionary processes towards AMR by increasing the rates of de-novo mutation and conjugation. Importantly, widely used compounds such as chlorhexidine and quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) affect rates of mutation and conjugation at environmentally relevant concentrations. Furthermore, we show that single-cell phenotypic heterogeneity regarding tolerance (persistence) determines survival against specific biocides including QACs and isopropanol. Mechanistic investigations reveal that known antibiotic persister mechanisms contribute to persister formation to biocides. The evolution of high-level tolerance to different biocides is linked to the initial persister level and the evolution of specific genetically encoded mechanisms related to properties of the cell envelope. Biocide-tolerant strains have a selective advantage in the presence of environmentally-relevant concentrations of antibiotics, which could lead to the stabilization of biocide tolerance in environments where biocides and antibiotics co-occur (e.g. wastewater, animal stables). Taken together, our work shows the importance of assessing the contribution of biocides on evolution and selection of AMR in the environment. T2 - 10th Symposium on Antimicrobial Resistance in Animals and the Environment (ARAE) CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 30.06.2025 KW - Antimicrobial surfaces KW - Biocides KW - Antimicrobial resistance KW - Standardization PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64869 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Schreiber, Frank T1 - Biocides as drivers for the evolution of antimicrobial resistance N2 - This presentation provides an overview about how biocides drive the evolution of antimicrobial resistance during application and as pollutants in the environment. The presentation shows that biocides can lead to heterogeneous killing, facilitating tolerance evolution. This evolution is related to decreased susceptibility to antibiotics and has potential for co-selection. In contrast, evolved tolerance can limit antibiotic evolvability via epistatic interactions. Moreover, biocides can co-select for antibiotic resistance in wastewater and affect rates of mutation and horizontal gene transfer. Biocides and antibiotics show strong combination effects with consequences for selection of antibiotic resistance. T2 - Vorstellungsvortrag zur Habilitation FU Berlin CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 15.05.2025 KW - Antimicrobial surfaces KW - Biocides KW - Antimicrobial resistance KW - Standardization PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64873 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -