Antimicrobial activity of glucoprotamin: a clinical study of a new disinfectant for instruments.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the in vitro efficacy of glucoprotamin for the disinfection of instruments.


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
University women's hospital.


METHODS
Instruments were immersed in saline solution after use, and glucoprotamin was added to a concentration of 1.5% before soaking for 60 minutes. Biocidal activity was determined by the difference in colony-forming units (CFU) on instruments before and after disinfection.


RESULTS
One hundred thirty-seven instruments were collected during 10 days and exposed to a 1.5% dilution of glucoprotamin without prior washing. Bioburden before disinfection ranged from 2 x 10(5) to 7.1 x 10(7) CFU per instrument. Average bacterial killing was 5.98 log10 CFU +/- 0.48 under aerobic conditions and 6.75 log10 CFU +/- 0.54 under anaerobic conditions, despite the presence of large amounts of proteins on instruments that were frequently bloody. No vegetative bacteria were isolated in any sample after disinfection.


CONCLUSIONS
This clinical study confirmed excellent in vitro efficacy of glucoprotamin without prior removal of proteins and debris.
Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University of Basel Hospitals & Clinics, Basel, Switzerland.
Andreas E
AE
Widmer
Reno
R
Frei
D003959:Diamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004203:Disinfection; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital / Q000382:microbiology*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011760:Pyrrolidinones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013242:Sterilization; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000382:microbiology*; D013557:Switzerland
D003959:Diamines; D004202:Disinfectants; D011760:Pyrrolidinones; C089578:glucoprotamine