Efficacy of three surface disinfectants against spores of Clostridium difficile ribotype 027

The emergence of Clostridium difficile ribotype 027 raised the question of sporicidal surface disinfectants are also effective against spores of C. difficile ribotype 027.

Three surface disinfectants based on magnesium monoperoxyphthalate hexahydrate (Dismozon pur), a combination of (ethylenedioxy)dimethanol, glutaral and benzyl-C12-18-alkyldimethylammonium chlorides (Kohrsolin extra) and a combination of glutaral, benzyl-C12-18-alkyldimethylammonium chlorides and didecyl-dimethylammonium chloride (Kohrsolin FF) were tested in a suspension test in various concentrations and contact times against spores of three C. difficile strains including ribotype 027.

All three surface disinfectant reduced the number of spores by ≥4 log(10) steps, e.g. Dismozon pur at 1.5% and 2 h exposure time, Kohrsolin extra at 2% and 4 h exposure time, and Kohrsolin FF at 2% and 6 h exposure time. Spores of ribotype 027 did not show a lower susceptibility to Dismozon pur compared to the other two C. difficile strains.

All three tested surface disinfectants should be effective for surface disinfection in outbreaks caused by C. difficile ribotype 027.