Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 14, 2026
Author Spotlight: Microbial Control and Monitoring Strategies for Cleanroom Environments and Cellular Therapies
Published on: March 17, 2023
Commercial Disinfectants During Disinfection Process Validation: More Failures than Success
Shiv Sekhar Chatterjee1, Sushil Kumar Chumber2, Uma Khanduri3
1Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College , Kolkata, India .
Introduction:
Disinfection process validation is mandatory before introduction of a new disinfectant in hospital services. Commercial disinfection brands often question existing hospital policy claiming greater efficacy and lack of toxicity of their products. Inadvertent inadequate disinfection leads to morbidity, patient's economic burden, and the risk of mortality.
Aim:
To evaluate commercial disinfectants for high, intermediate and low-level disinfection so as to identify utility for our routine situations.
Materials And Methods:
This laboratory based experiment was conducted at St Stephen Hospital, Delhi during July-September 2013. Twelve commercial disinfectants: Sanidex®, Sanocid®, Cidex®, SekuSept Aktiv®, BIB Forte®, Alprojet W®, Desnet®, Sanihygiene®, Incidin®, D125®, Lonzagard®, and Glutishield® were tested. Time-kill assay (suspension test) was performed against six indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella Typhi, Bacillus cereus, and Mycobacterium fortuitum). Low and high inoculum (final concentrations 1.5X10(6) and 9X10(6) cfu/ml) of the first five bacteria while only low level of M. fortuitum was tested.
Results:
Cidex® (2.4% Glutaraldehyde) performed best as high level disinfectant while newer quarternary ammonium compounds (QACs) (Incidin®, D125®, and Lonzagard®) were good at low level disinfection. Sanidex® (0.55% Ortho-pthalaldehyde) though mycobactericidal took 10 minutes for sporicidal activity. Older QAC containing BIB Forte® and Desnet® took 20 minutes to fully inhibit P. aeruginosa. All disinfectants effectively reduced S. Typhi to zero counts within 5 minutes.
Conclusion:
Cidex® is a good high-level disinfectant while newer QACs (Incidin®, D125®, and Lonzagard®) were capable low-level disinfectants.
Insights
Cidex® (2.4% Glutaraldehyde) is an effective high-level disinfectant. Newer quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) like Incidin®, D125®, and Lonzagard® show efficacy for low-level disinfection, crucial for hospital hygiene.
Area of Science:
- Infection Control
- Microbiology
- Hospital Hygiene
Background:
- Disinfection validation is mandatory for hospital services.
- Inadequate disinfection poses risks of patient morbidity and mortality.
- Commercial disinfectants are often promoted for superior efficacy and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate commercial disinfectants for high, intermediate, and low-level disinfection.
- To determine the utility of disinfectants in routine hospital settings.
- To compare the efficacy of various disinfectant brands.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory-based time-kill assay (suspension test) conducted.
- Twelve commercial disinfectants were tested.
- Six indicator bacteria, including Mycobacterium fortuitum, were used with varying inoculum levels.
Main Results:
- Cidex® (2.4% Glutaraldehyde) demonstrated superior high-level disinfection.
- Newer quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) (Incidin®, D125®, Lonzagard®) were effective low-level disinfectants.
- Sanidex® showed mycobactericidal activity but required 10 minutes for sporicidal action.
Conclusions:
- Cidex® is recommended as a high-level disinfectant.
- Newer QACs are suitable for low-level disinfection applications.
- Disinfectant efficacy varies, necessitating careful selection for hospital use.
More Related Videos
14:17The Portable Chemical Sterilizer PCS, D-FENS, and D-FEND ALL: Novel Chlorine Dioxide Decontamination Technologies for the Military
Published on: June 29, 2014
07:00Failure of Cleaning Verification in Pharmaceutical Industry Due to Uncleanliness of Stainless Steel Surface
Published on: August 11, 2017
Related Concept Videos
01:30Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection
Cleaning
The cleaning process usually involves using water with detergents or enzymatic cleaner and removing foreign material from objects and surfaces, including organic material such as body fluids or inorganic material like soil. Cleaning is performed before high-level disinfection and sterilization because foreign materials on the cover of the devices interfere with process...
01:27Chemical Agents for Microbial Control
01:30Methods of Sterilization II: Chemical Methods
Using chemical sterilization rather than heat to clean out equipment is recommended. It eradicates and removes all bacteria,...
01:23Hand hygiene
Hand washing...
01:29Methods of Sterilization I: Physical Methods
Steam sterilization uses non-toxic, low-cost moist heat in the form of saturated steam under pressure, which is fast, microbicidal, and sporicidal, and quickly warms and penetrates fabrics. Autoclaves, or steam sterilizers, expose each item to direct steam contact for a predetermined time at the necessary...
01:15Data Validation
Key parameters for method validation include: