High-level triclosan resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is solely a result of efflux

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is intrinsically resistant to high levels of triclosan. Methods: Using the agar incorporation method and defined mutant strains, the contribution of multidrug efflux pumps to high-level (>1000 μg/mL) triclosan resistance in P aeruginosa was assessed. Results: The results showed that the ability of P aeruginosa to survive in the presence of triclosan concentrations in excess of 1000 μg/mL is solely attributable to the expression of efflux pumps. (Am J Infect Control 2003;31:124-7.)