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Glutaraldehyde: Current Status and Uses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

A.D. Russell
A.D. Russell*
Affiliation:
Welsh School of Pharmacy, University of Wales College of Cardiff, Wales
*
Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF13XF, Wales
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Abstract

Glutaraldehyde (pentanedial) is a dialdehyde that displays potent bactericidal, fungicidal, mycobactericidal, sporicidal, and virucidal activity. Pertinent to its activity is its interaction with amino groups in proteins and enzymes, but this simplistic statement masks the manner in which it inactivates various types of microorganisms. Notwithstanding its toxicity for medical staff, glutaraldehyde remains an invaluable compound for high-level disinfection purposes in endoscopy units.

Type
Review
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 15 , Issue 11 , November 1994 , pp. 724 - 733
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1994

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