title: Evaluation of fungicidal efficacy of benzalkonium chloride (Steramina G u.v.) and Virkon-S against Microsporum canis for environmental disinfection.
abstract: The aim of this study is to evaluate the antifungal efficacy of Steramina G u.v. (10% solution of alkyldimetylbenzylammonium chloride; Formenti Grünenthal) and Virkon-S (multipurpose system; Antec International) against Microsporum canis-infected hairs and spores. Samples were collected from a random sample of household cats and from subjects from catteries. Seventy M. canis-positive hairbrushes containing furs, keratin scales and other organic material were treated with each of the two disinfectants, using concentrations recommended by the manufacturer's instructions (2% and 1% for Steramina G u.v. and Virkon-S, respectively). Each brush remained in contact with the antifungal solution for 10 min. After this period, the brushes were air-dried, then seeded into mycobiotic agar, and incubated for up to 21 days at 28 degrees C. The disinfectants were considered effective if dermatophytes failed to grow. Steramina G u.v. was effective in 97.14% of samples and Virkon-S in 87.14%. The antifungal activity of Steramina G u.v. against M. canis was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of Virkon-S.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinics, University of Pisa, via Livornese, 56010, San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy. v.marchetti@vet.unipi.it
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Marchetti
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mancianti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cardini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Luchetti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002415:Cats / Q000382:microbiology*; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050456:Fomites / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D008864:Microsporum / Q000187:drug effects*; D010545:Peroxides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013464:Sulfuric Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D004202:Disinfectants; D010545:Peroxides; D013464:Sulfuric Acids; C071517:monoperoxysulfate