DISINFECTION

• Disinfection : The process of destruction of

vegetative forms of pathogenic organisms which are
capable of producing infection but not necessarily
resistant spores.

• Disinfectants : Chemical substances that are capable

of causing disinfection.
PROPERTIES OF IDEAL DISINFECTANT
• Wide spectrum of activity & must be effective
against all microbes.
• Be active in presence of organic matter.
• Be effective in acid as well as alkali media.
• Have speedy action.
• Have high penetration power.
• Should not corrode metal.
Contd..

• Should not local irritation or sensitization.

• Should not be toxic if absorbed into circulation.
• Should be cheap & easily available.
• Should be safe & easy to use.
• Should not interfere with healing.
 Potency of disinfectants
It depends on :–
1. Conc. of the disinfectant.
2. Time of action.
3. pH of the medium.
4. Temperature.
5. Nature of the organisms.
6. Presence of extraneous material.
 MODE OF ACTION
1. Protein coagulation.
2. Disruption of cell membrane.
3. Removal of sulphydryl group essential for functioning of
the enzymes.
4. Substrate competition – compound resembling the
essential substrate of the enzymes divert/mislead
enzymes responsible for metabolism of cell.
 Types of disinfectants

A) Chemical B) Gaseous
disinfectant disinfectants
1. Alcohols 1. Ethylene oxide
2. Aldehydes 2. Low temperature steam
3. Dyes formaldehyde (LTSF)
4. Halogens 3. Gas plasma
5. Phenols
6. Surface-active agents
7. Metallic salts
 Chemical disinfectants
1. ALCOHOLS :
 Formulation - Ethyl & Isopropyl alcohol.
 Water must be added to obtain maximum rate of biocidal
action.
 Isopropyl is preferable over ethyl alcohol, because –More
fat solvent.

Mechanism of action – COAGULATION OF PROTEIN.

Application –
1. Skin disinfection – ethyl alcohol (80%) & isopropyl
alcohol (60-70%) for 15 sec.
2. Surface disinfection - ethyl alcohol (80%). For
disinfection of clinical thermometer, surface of
hospital trolleys & interior of safety cabinet.
2. Aldehydes –

Formulation :
Formaldehyde ( aqueous solution, formalin gas ).
Glutaraldehyde (2%).

Mechanism of action –
Alkylating agent.
Hardening of cell membrane & cell wall.
Application –
1. Disinfection & sterilisation of heat sensitive instrument
like cystoscopes, bronchoscopes.
2. Decontamination of soiled instruments.
3. Disinfection of microbiological lab.
4. Disinfection of O. T.
3. Halogens –
a) Chlorine compounds –
The cheapest and most available chemical disinfectant

Formulation: Hypo-chlorides (NaOCl, Ca(OCl)2)

Mechanism of action:
formation of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) in contact with water
which has microbiocidal action
Adverse effects –
• Penetrating & irritant odour due to release of gaseous
chlorine.
• Bleach & damage of texture of fabrics, corrode metals.

Application –
1. Disinfection of water
2. Sanitization – used in dairy, food production, catering
industries.
b) IODINE COMPOUNDS –

Formulation –
• Aqueous/Alcoholic solution of iodine.
• Idophors=polyvinyl-pyrrolidone +Iodine
Adverse effects –
1. Hypersensitivity reaction when applied to skin.
2. Depression of neutrophil function.

Application -
3. Disinfection of operation site.
4. Disinfection of hands.
5. General disinfection – thermometer, room surfaces.
4. PHENOLS – (carbolic acid)
Formulation -
Substitutes of carbolic acid used as disinfectant, Alkyl
phenols & halogenated phenols.

Mechanism of action –
Damage of cell membrane
Precipitation of proteins.
Inactivation of membrane bound oxidase.
Adverse effects –
1. Poisonous if swallowed.
2. Objectionable odour.
3. Stain wool, cotton, synthetic fabrics.

Application –
4. Hospital use – disinfection of floor, wall in high risk areas
like OT, ICUs dialysis units & disinfection of spillage.

5. Laboratory uses – surface cleaning.

5. Surface-active agents:
 These are substances that alter the energy relationship at
the interfaces leading to reduction in the surface tension.
 They possess both hydrophobic & hydrophilic groups.

They are divided into four types.

a) Cationic –
• Positively charged surface active agents.
• Quaternary ammonium compounds
• E. g. Cetrimide
Microbial susceptibility –
 Highly susceptible – GPB
 Mod. susceptible – GNB
 Susceptible – Lipophilic viruses.
 Resistant – AFB, Spores & Hydrophilic viruses

Application –
1. Surface disinfection.
2. Skin disinfection
b) Anionic –
• Strong detergent.
• Weak antimicrobial activity.
• More active against GPC.
• E. g. Common soap

c) Amphoteric – (Tego compounds)

• Both detergent & antimicrobial activity.
• Active against GPB, GNB & viruses.

d) Non ionic –
• No disinfectant activity.
DYES:
Two types:
Aniline & Acridine dyes.

a) Aniline dyes –
E. g. Brilliant green, malachite green, crystal
violet.

Application –
Used as selective agent in culture media.
b) Acridine dyes –

Mode of action –
Impair the DNA complexes of organisms -> destroy the reproductive
capacity of cell.

E. g. – Proflavin, acriflavine, euflavine, aminacrine.

Application – Skin & wound antiseptics.

METALLIC SALTS –
• Salts of heavy metals like silver, copper & mercury.
• Application –
1. Mercury salts (bacteriostatic) – Thiomersal,
mercurochrome are used as mild antiseptics.
2. Silver salts – antiseptics.
3. Copper salts – Fungicides.
GASEOUS/VAPOUR-PHASE DISINFECTANTS

1. Ethylene oxide - a colorless liquid.

Formulation –
• In 3 % conc. In air, it is highly explosive.
• By mixing with inert gas like CO2 & N, to a conc. 10%, explosive
tendency is eliminated.
Mode of action –
• Alkylating the amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl & sulphydryl groups in
protein molecules.
• Reacts with DNA & RNA of organisms.
Microbial susceptibility –
• Effective against all types of microbes including viruses &
spores.

Application –

• Sterilize equipment which are heat sensitive

e. g. plastic catheter, prosthetic valve, heart-lung machines,
sutures, dental equipments (gas concentration 700-1000mg/l
at 45-600C x 2 hr)
GAS PLASMA –

Formulation –
• Gaseous hydrogen peroxide .
• Gas excited by radiofrequency or microwave energy under a
vacuum at low temperature.

Mode of action –
• Due to generation of free radicals, electrons and ions.
LTSF –
• Mixture of formaldehyde gas and sub atmospheric air.

Formulation –

• Steam at sub- atm. pressure acts slowly & formaldehyde is sporicidal at

high conc.

• Together both steam & formaldehyde act synergistically -> very low
conc. of HCHO kills spores at sub-atm. pressure at temp. 73-750 C.
 LEVELS OF DISINFECTANTS
1. High-level Disinfectant –
• To destroy all microorganisms, with the exception of high numbers of
bacterial spores.
• Used for critical & semi-critical devices.

Critical devices –
• Used on or in sterile areas of the body.
E. g. – 1. Cutting or dissecting devices
2. Microsurgical instruments
3. Cardiac catheters
4. Implants
5. Dental Instruments
b) Semi-critical devices –
Used in or on mucous membranes or damaged skin.
1.Flexible endoscopes.
2.Laryngoscopes.
3.Endotracheal tubes.
4.Vaginal speculums.
5.Dental x-ray jackets.
6.ENT exam instruments.
2) Intermediate level Disinfectant –
Inactivates Mycobacterium tuberculosis, vegetative
bacteria, most viruses, and most fungi, but does not
necessarily kill bacterial spores.
Used for non-critical devices (May come into contact with patient’s intact
skin)
E. g. –
 Room furniture
 Blood pressure cuffs
 Wheelchairs, stretchers
 Electronic thermometers & Glucometers
TESTING OF DISINFECTANTS
1. MIC (Minimum inhibitory conc.) –
• Lowest conc. of the disinfectant that inhibits the
growth of S. typhi. in a nutrient medium.
2. Phenol coefficient test –
• Calculated by dividing the dilution of test
disinfectant by the dilution of phenol that
disinfects under predetermined conditions.