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Measuring Volatile and Non-volatile Antifungal Activity of Biocontrol Products
Published on: December 5, 2020
In vitro activity of disinfectants against Aspergillus spp
A S Mattei1, I M Madrid, R Santin
1Laboratório de Doenças Infecciosas, Setor Micologia, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
Abstract:
Fungi of the Aspergillus genus are widespread and contaminate the environment. Thousands of conidia are released from each phialide and dispersed in the air every day. These fungi are considered important mycose-causing agents in hospitals. Due to this, research to determine prevalent fungi from the Aspergillus genus in hospital environments, and an adequate disinfection program in these areas is are needed. This study evaluated the susceptibility of Aspergillus spp. isolated from a veterinary environment against four disinfectants. Successive dilutions of disinfectants (log2) were used according to CLSI M38-A2 microdilution technique adapted to chemical agents against 18 isolates of this genus. After 72 hours of incubation, the Minimum Inhibiting Concentration and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration capable of inhibiting 50% and 90% of the isolates were determined. Chlorexidine-cetrimine, benzalconium chloride and a chlorophenol derivative proved to be effective against all isolates with a lower MIC than that suggested by the manufacturer, except for the A. flavus strain. Sodium hypochlorite was ineffective against three A. fumigatus, three A. flavus and one A. niger isolate. These results demonstrated that all studied disinfectants were effective against environmental isolates, with the exception of sodium hypochlorite, which showed lower effectiveness.
Insights
Four disinfectants were tested against Aspergillus species from a veterinary environment. Chlorexidine-cetrimine, benzalconium chloride, and a chlorophenol derivative were effective, while sodium hypochlorite showed limited efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Mycology
- Hospital-Acquired Infections
Background:
- Aspergillus species are ubiquitous environmental fungi, posing a risk for hospital-acquired mycoses.
- Effective disinfection strategies are crucial in healthcare settings to control Aspergillus contamination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of four common disinfectants against Aspergillus species isolated from a veterinary environment.
- To determine the Minimum Inhibiting Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) of tested disinfectants.
Main Methods:
- The study utilized a modified CLSI M38-A2 microdilution technique to test four disinfectants against 18 Aspergillus isolates.
- Minimum Inhibiting Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) were determined after 72 hours of incubation.
Main Results:
- Chlorexidine-cetrimine, benzalconium chloride, and a chlorophenol derivative demonstrated effectiveness against all tested Aspergillus isolates.
- Sodium hypochlorite showed reduced effectiveness, being ineffective against several strains of Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus niger.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights the variable efficacy of disinfectants against environmental Aspergillus isolates.
- Chlorexidine-cetrimine, benzalconium chloride, and chlorophenol derivatives are recommended for controlling Aspergillus in similar environments, unlike sodium hypochlorite.
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