monoperoxysulfate and Cross-Infection

The aim of this study was to determine the dissemination of Clostridium difficile (CD) spores in a hospital setting where the potassium monopersulfate-based disinfectant Virkon™ was used for cleaning. In the initial part of the study, we sampled 16 areas of frequent patient contact in 10 patient rooms where a patient with CD infection (CDI) had been accommodated. In the second part of the study, we obtained samples from 10 patient beds after discharge of CDI patients, both before and after the beds were cleaned. In the first part, CDspores were isolated in only 30% of the rooms. In the second part, which focused on transmission to hospital beds, C. difficile was found in four of 10 beds either before or after cleaning. In conclusion, in both parts of the study, we demonstrated a moderate spread of CD spores to the environment despite routine cleaning procedures involving Virkon™.

Topics: Clostridioides difficile; Clostridium Infections; Cross Infection; Disinfection; Hospitals; Humans; Patients' Rooms; Peroxides; Spores, Bacterial; Sulfuric Acids

In the midst of an outbreak, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii was grown from samples of multiple environmental sites in an intensive care unit. A commercial oxidizing disinfectant (potassium peroxomonosulphate 50%, sodium alkyl benzene sulphonate 15%, and sulphamic acid 5%) was introduced throughout the intensive care unit, and its use coincided with cessation of the outbreak.

Topics: Acinetobacter baumannii; Acinetobacter Infections; Australia; beta-Lactam Resistance; Carbapenems; Cross Infection; Disease Outbreaks; Disinfectants; Housekeeping, Hospital; Humans; Infection Control; Intensive Care Units; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Peroxides; Sulfuric Acids

The objective of the study was to determine the disinfection efficacy of aerosolizing (cold fogging) Virkon S on survival of Stahpylococcus aureus and Salmonella enterica on different surfaces. Two experiments were conducted in different locations. Salmonella enterica and S. aureus were grown in broth culture and then seeded into pre-marked areas in each location and allowed to dry. Virkon S (1%) was aerosolized into the rooms (approximately 1L of per 30 m(3)). Samples were collected pre- and post-fogging for quantitative cultures to evaluate the efficacy of aerial disinfection. The reduction of S. enterica or S. aureus counts ranged from 3.40 to 0.95 log(10) (Salmonella) or 4.92 to 0.02 log(10) (Staphylococcus). The greatest reduction was evident in samples collected from non-porous horizontal surfaces, which were not obstructed from the air flow. These results indicate that fogging with Virkon S could be beneficial in routine disinfection of pre-cleaned surfaces. The benefits of routine use of cold fogging with Virkon S in veterinary hospital settings would include its wide-range antimicrobial action and minimal working-men power required to disinfect large areas. Also, fogging would potentially minimize microbial contamination in the hard to reach areas.

Topics: Aerosols; Animals; Colony Count, Microbial; Cross Infection; Disinfectants; Environmental Microbiology; Hospitals, Animal; Peroxides; Salmonella enterica; Salmonella Infections, Animal; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Sulfuric Acids; Treatment Outcome

2% glutaraldehyde is the reference disinfectant for hospital instruments. However, its high environmental toxicity makes desirable to search for alternatives. We compare the antimicrobial activity of 2% glutaraldehyde with 0.44% N-duopropenide (NDP), 0.66% NDP in 48 degrees alcoholic solution (NDP-alc), 0.13% glutaraldehyde-phenate, 1% or 3% persulphate (Virkon) and 0.1% or 0.5% chlorhexidine, using a model that mimics non-regular surface instruments contaminated with microbial strains (44 bacteria, 6 of which were Mycobacterium). The contaminated carrier is soaked in the disinfectant solution. After 5 or 20 minutes contact the disinfectant is neutralized. The overall results on all microorganisms in 20 minutes, show similar antibacterial activity for 2% glutaraldehyde and 0.66% NDP-alc, followed by 0.44% NDP and after by the two concentrations of Virkon and 0.5% chlorhexidine. The 0.13% glutaraldehyde-phenate and 0.1% chlorhexidine exhibited significantly less effect than any other disinfectant. 0.66% NDP-alc was faster antimicrobial activity than 2% glutaraldehyde, destroying totally the inoculum in 5 minutes. Activity on Mycobacterium showed great differences between 2% glutaraldehyde and the rest of products (> 5 log versus < 3 log reduction in 20 minutes), with an exception: NDP-alc, with similar and faster activity (> 5 log in 5 minutes) than 2% glutaraldehyde. With human blood, the survival microorganisms increase 0.3 log (average) in all the disinfectants used. The aggressiveness on metallic devices was greater in Virkon than in the other disinfectants. We conclude that NDP (alone or in alcoholic solution) may be a good alternative to glutaraldehyde in hospital instruments disinfection.

Topics: Aldehydes; Chlorhexidine; Colony Count, Microbial; Cross Infection; Disinfectants; Equipment and Supplies, Hospital; Equipment Contamination; Glutaral; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mycobacterium; Peroxides; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Sulfuric Acids

Topics: Cross Infection; Endoscopes; Glutaral; Humans; Peroxides; Sterilization; Sulfuric Acids