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Antimicrobial Activity of Home Disinfectants and Natural Products Against Potential Human Pathogens

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

William A. Rutala ,
Susan L. Barbee ,
Newman C. Aguiar ,
Mark D. Sobsey  and
David J. Weber
William A. Rutala*
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine, UNC School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina Department of Hospital Epidemiology, UNC Hospitals, UNC School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Susan L. Barbee
Affiliation:
Departments of Environmental Sciences, UNC School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Newman C. Aguiar
Affiliation:
Departments of Environmental Sciences, UNC School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Mark D. Sobsey
Affiliation:
Departments of Environmental Sciences, UNC School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
David J. Weber
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine, UNC School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina Department of Hospital Epidemiology, UNC Hospitals, UNC School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina Epidemiology, UNC School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
*
′547 Burnett-Womack Bldg, CB 7030, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7030
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Abstract

Objective:

To assess the efficacy of both natural products (vinegar, baking soda) and common commercial disinfectants (Vesphene Ilse, TBQ, Clorox, Lysol Disinfectant Spray, Lysol Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner, Mr. Clean Ultra, ethanol) designed for home or institutional use against potential human pathogens, including selected antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Design:

A quantitative suspension test was used to assess the efficacy of selected disinfectants following exposure times of 30 seconds and 5 minutes. Activity was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella choleraesuis, Escherichia coli 0157:H7, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Selected disinfectants were also tested against poliovirus, vancomycin-susceptible and -resistant Enterococcus species, and methicillin-susceptible and -resistant S aureus.

Results:

The following compounds demonstrated excellent antimicrobial activity (>5.6-8.2 log10 reduction) at both exposure times: TBQ, Vesphene, Clorox, ethanol, and Lysol Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner. Mr. Clean eliminated 4 to >6 logs10 and Lysol Disinfectant ~4 logs10 of pathogenic microorganisms at both exposure times. Vinegar eliminated <3 logs10 of S aureus and E coli, and baking soda <3 logs10 of all test pathogens. All tested chemical disinfectants completely inactivated both antibiotic-resistant and -susceptible bacteria at both exposure times. Only two disinfectants, Clorox and Lysol, demonstrated excellent activity (>3 log10 reduction) against poliovirus.

Conclusions:

A variety of commercial household disinfectants were highly effective against potential bacterial pathogens. The natural products were less effective than commercial household disinfectants. Only Clorox and Lysol disinfectant were effective against poliovirus

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 21 , Issue 1 , January 2000 , pp. 33 - 38
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2000

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