Efficacy of disinfectants and heat against Escherichia coli O157:H7.
The bactericidal activity of disinfectants and hot water against ten Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains, which were isolated from faeces of patients with enterohaemorrhagic E. coli infection, were evaluated and showed different DNA patterns. After exposure to 0.1% benzalkonium chloride, 0.1% chlorhexidine gluconate containing a nonionic surfactant, and 80% (v/v) ethanol, 99.99% of viable bacterial cells were killed at 20 degrees C within 15 s irrespective of the presence or absence of 0.1% albumin. On the other hand, after exposure to hot water, 99.99% of the bacterial cells were killed within 15 s at 70 degrees C. These results suggest that benzalkonium chloride, chlorhexidine gluconate containing a nonionic surfactant, ethanol, and hot water at 70 degrees C or more are effective for disinfection of E. coli O157:H7 in hospitals.
Department of Pharmacy, Yamaguchi University Hospital, Ube, Japan.
S
S
Oie
A
A
Kamiya
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M
Tomita
A
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Katayama
A
A
Iwasaki
S
S
Miyamura
D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field / Q000379:methods; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D006361:Heating; D006801:Humans; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004202:Disinfectants; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine