In vitro evaluation of current disinfectants for leg bags

An in vitro study was performed investigating the bactericidal ability of five common cleaning agents for leg bags against organisms frequently causing urinary tract infection in spinal cord injured (SCI) patients. Individual disposable Uridrain leg bags were inoculated with urine containing greater than 10(5) colonies/ml of the selected organism. The organisms used were: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Providencia stuartii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, Herellea, and Enterococcus. Each pair of inoculated bags (one bag for immediate or 0 hour culture and one bag for 24 hour culture) was filled with 30 ml of the test solution, cleaned, drained, and then cultured. The tested solutions included: plain tap water, 1/4% acetic acid, 3% hydrogen peroxide, Sporicidin 1:16 dilution, and 0.06% sodium hypochlorite. The results demonstrated that plain tap water had no effect on reducing the bacterial counts and that 1/4% acetic acid and 3% hydrogen peroxide had only a marginal effect across the spectrum of organisms. Sporicidin and 0.06% sodium hypochlorite exhibited complete bactericidal ability. In the final analysis, 0.06% sodium hypochlorite is the most cost efficient and readily accessible to patients. In practical application, disinfecting daily with 0.06% sodium hypochlorite can decrease external contamination of urinary drainage appliances in SCI patients.