Selection for high-level resistance by chronic triclosan exposure is not universal.

These data fail to demonstrate biologically significant drug resistance in triclosan-exposed bacteria and suggest that markedly decreased triclosan susceptibility, although confirmed for E. coli, is not a universal phenomenon. Other bacteria possibly possess more susceptible targets than FabI that are highly conserved, which may govern triclosan activity. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 2004; 53: 772-777.