In Carly Redelman and her team of researchers at the University of Butler’s article titled “Alcohol treatment enhances Staphylococcus aureus biofilm development” (2012), they determined that exposure to alcohols such as ethanol and isopropanol further enhanced adhesion protein production of established Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. Redelman supports this proposal by providing evidence of stimulated gene expression in vraS, mmpL and, mepA which are genes that control susceptibility to oxacillin and antibiotic efflux pumps. The purpose of this research article is to point out that despite alcohol being a prominent disinfectant method, increased levels of alcohol activate genes that are used by bacteria to promote antibiotic resistance in order to raise awareness that established biofilms may need a better technique for eradication. Redelman appeals to academics and well-versed scientists in fields such as biology or pharmacology to stress the urgency of protecting the public from improper sanitation methods.
