title: Efficacy of different cleaning and disinfection methods against Clostridium difficile spores: importance of physical removal versus sporicidal inactivation.
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 log(10) C. difficile spores. Wiping with sporicidal agents eliminated more than 3.90 log(10) C. difficile spores (physical removal and/or inactivation). Spraying with a sporicide eliminated more than 3.44 log(10) C. difficile spores but would not remove debris.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Rutala
authors.forename: Maria F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Gergen
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Weber
mesh_terms: D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000187:drug effects*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D006797:Housekeeping, Hospital / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D004202:Disinfectants