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Activity of Disinfectants Against Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Guillermo Saurina ,
David Landman  and
John M. Quale
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Abstract

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) often contaminate the hospital environment. We examined the activity of commonly used disinfectants against eight strains of VRE, using a quantitative suspension test method. Isopropyl alcohol and sodium hypochlorite were highly effective. Hydrogen peroxide was ineffective for all strains. After 10 minutes of incubation (the manufacturers' recommended time of exposure), three phenolic and three quaternary ammonium compounds also were highly effective. After 3 minutes of exposure, however, occasional failures did occur. With the exception of 3% hydrogen peroxide, most disinfectants appear to be active against VRE.

Type
Concise Communications
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 18 , Issue 5 , May 1997 , pp. 345 - 347
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1997

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