title: Sporicidal activity of two disinfectants against Clostridium difficile spores.
abstract: The sporicidal activity of an odour-free peracetic acid-based disinfectant (Wofasteril) and a widely-used dichloroisocyanurate preparation (Chlor-clean) was assessed against spores of the hyper-virulent strain of Clostridium difficile (ribotype 027), in the presence and absence of organic matter. In environmentally clean conditions, dichloroisocyanurate achieved a >3 log10 reduction in 3 minutes, but a minimum contact time of 9 minutes was required to reduce the viable spore load to below detection levels. Peracetic acid achieved a >3 log10 reduction in 30 minutes and was overall significantly less effective (P<0.05). However, in the presence of organic matter - which reflects the true clinical environment - there was no significant difference between the sporicidal activity of dichloroisocyanurate and peracetic acid over a 60-minute period (P=0.188). Given the greater occupational health hazards generally associated with chlorine-releasing agents, odour-free peracetic acid-based disinfectants may offer a suitable alternative for environmental disinfection.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Birmingham, NHS Trust, Birmingham.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Wheeldon
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Worthington
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Hilton
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: T S J
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Elliott
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D016272:Occupational Health; D010463:Peracetic Acid / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D021521:Ribotyping; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014227:Triazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004202:Disinfectants; D004338:Drug Combinations; D014227:Triazines; C025754:acetic acid, peracetic drug combination; D010463:Peracetic Acid; C011765:troclosene; D019342:Acetic Acid