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Efficacy of Different Cleaning and Disinfection Methods against Clostridium difficile Spores: Importance of Physical Removal versus Sporicidal Inactivation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

William A. Rutala ,
Maria F. Gergen  and
David J. Weber
William A. Rutala
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina UNC Health Care, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Maria F. Gergen
Affiliation:
UNC Health Care, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
David J. Weber
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina UNC Health Care, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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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 log10C. difficile spores. Wiping with sporicidal agents eliminated more than 3.90 log10C. difficile spores (physical removal and/or inactivation). Spraying with a sporicide eliminated more than 3.44 log10C. difficile spores but would not remove debris.

Type
Concise Communication
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 33 , Issue 12 , December 2012 , pp. 1255 - 1258
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2012

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