Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-29T07:42:47.354Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Efficacy of Different Cleaning and Disinfection Methods against Clostridium difficile Spores: Importance of Physical Removal versus Sporicidal Inactivation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

William A. Rutala ,
Maria F. Gergen  and
David J. Weber
William A. Rutala
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina UNC Health Care, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Maria F. Gergen
Affiliation:
UNC Health Care, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
David J. Weber
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina UNC Health Care, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

We tested the effectiveness of disinfectants and wipe methods against Clostridium difficile spores. Wiping with nonsporicidal agents (physical removal) was effective in removing more than 2.9 log10C. difficile spores. Wiping with sporicidal agents eliminated more than 3.90 log10C. difficile spores (physical removal and/or inactivation). Spraying with a sporicide eliminated more than 3.44 log10C. difficile spores but would not remove debris.

Type
Concise Communication
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 33 , Issue 12 , December 2012 , pp. 1255 - 1258
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vital signs: preventing Clostridium difficile infections. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2011;61:1–6.Google Scholar
2.Miller, BA, Chen, LF, Sexton, DJ, Anderson, DJ. Comparison of the burdens of hospital-onset, healthcare facility–associated Clostridium difficile infection and of healthcare-associated infection due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in community hospitals. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2011;32:387–390.10.1086/659156Google Scholar
3.Weber, DJ, Rutala, WA, Miller, MB, Huslage, K, Sickbert-Bennett, E. Role of hospital surfaces in the transmission of emerging health care-associated pathogens: norovirus, Clostridium difficile, and Acinetobacter species. Am J Infect Control 2010;38:S25–S33.10.1016/j.ajic.2010.04.196Google Scholar
4.Weber, DJ, Rutala, WA. The role of the environment in transmission of Clostridium difficile infection in healthcare facilities. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2011;32:207–209.10.1086/658670Google Scholar
5.Shaughnessy, MK, Micielli, RL, DePestel, DD, et al.Evaluation of hospital room assignment and acquisition of Clostridium difficile infection. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2011;32:201–206.Google Scholar
6.Orenstein, R, Aronhalt, KC, McManus, JE, Fedraw, LA. A targeted strategy to wipe out Clostridium difficile. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2011:32:1137–1139.10.1086/662586Google Scholar
7.Boyce, JM, Havill, NL, Otter, JA, et al.Impact of hydrogen peroxide vapor room decontamination on Clostridium difficile environmental contamination and transmission in a healthcare setting. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2008;29:723–729.10.1086/589906Google Scholar
8.Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). AOAC official method 966.04: sporicidal activity of disinfectants. In: Official methods of analysis of AOAC International. Vol 1. 16th ed. 5th revision. Gaithersburg, MD: AOAC, 1999.Google Scholar
9.Cohen, SH, Gerding, DN, Johnson, S, et al.Clinical practice guide-lines for Clostridium difficile infection in adults: 2010 update by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA). Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2010;31:431–455.Google Scholar
10.Rutala, WA, Weber, DJ. Are room decontamination units needed to prevent transmission of environmental pathogens? Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2011;32:743–747.10.1086/661226Google Scholar
11.Sinai, H, Copper, C, Maillard, J-M. Efficacy of “sporicidal” wipes against Clostridium difficile. Am J Infect Control 2011;39:212–218.Google Scholar