Evaluation of efficacy of Dettol-H in hospital use

A study was conducted at Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi, to elucidate the bactericidal effect of a new disinfectant having benzalkonium chloride (40%) + disodium edetate (1.5%) and commercially available as Dettol-H, in comparison with that of a disinfectant already in-use in this hospital and having chlorhexidine gluconate (7.5%) + cetrimide (15%) + isopropyl alcohol (commercially available as Alpilon). The modified Capacity test of Kelsey-Sykes and In-use test of Kelsey-Maurer were carried out using control strains and random gram positive and gram negative bacterial isolates from clinical specimens. The two disinfectant solutions were analysed at three dilutions viz. weak, recommended and strong. From the study it could be inferred that both Dettol-H and Alpilon were equally effective in recommended and strong dilutions against the organisms tested. Weak dilutions were not effective in both and hence Dettol-H and Alpilon are effective only if used in prescribed concentrations.