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Updated: Jun 3, 2025
Antimicrobial Characterization of Advanced Materials for Bioengineering Applications
Published on: August 4, 2018
Effect of Antimicrobial Wipes on Hospital-Associated Bacterial and Fungal Strains
Hye-Sun Chun1, Chulmin Park1, Dukhee Nho1,2
1Vaccine Bio Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea Seoul, Korea.
Background:
Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) caused by multidrug-resistant organisms have emerged as a significant global issue, posing substantial challenges to healthcare systems. Low- and intermediate-level disinfectants are extensively utilized for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in hospitals to mitigate environmental transmission of HAI. Therefore, the need for more effective and environmentally safe disinfectants is increasing. This study aimed to assess the effect of antimicrobial wipes used for surface cleaning and disinfection in healthcare environments.
Materials And Methods:
A microbe library comprising 188 bacterial and fungal isolates, including multidrug-resistant strains, was established and used to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of three types of antimicrobial wipes: A (didecyldimethylammonium chloride [DDAC] 0.31% and 3-(trimethoxysilyl)-propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride [Si-QAC] 0.45%); B (benzalkonium chloride [BAK] 0.63%); and C (DDAC 0.5% and BAK 0.9%). The antimicrobial effect of the wipes was assessed and compared in three assays: rapid bactericidal effect assay of the three wipes, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay of DDAC and BAK, and a time-kill assay of the DDAC and Si-QAC combination.
Results:
The rapid antimicrobial effect evaluation showed that both wipes A and C, which contain a combination of two quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), exhibited similar antimicrobial effect (P=0.8234). Antimicrobial wipe A demonstrated better effect against Gram-positive bacteria and fungi than wipe C (P <0.05). The antimicrobial efficacy of the A wipe against Mycobacterium strains was superior to that of both the B and C wipes. Moreover, DDAC exhibited MIC₅₀ values that were 2 to 3-fold lower than those of BAK for Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The time-kill assay results for the DDAC and Si-QAC combination exhibited a growth reduction of >3 logs for Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium, whereas approximately 2 logs of reduction was observed for Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 3 hour.
Conclusion:
The results suggest that antimicrobial wipes containing relatively lower concentrations of QAC (wipe A) achieve similar rapid bactericidal effect as that of those with higher concentrations (wipe C). For Gram-negative bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains and fungal isolates, DDAC presented lower MICs compared with BAK. Furthermore, the combination therapy with DDAC and Si-QAC demonstrated enhanced efficacy compared to treatment with either agent alone, except in the case of Klebsiella strains. Further research is needed to develop antimicrobial wipes that minimize the environmental impact while ensuring effective disinfection.
Insights
Antimicrobial wipes with combined quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) show rapid effectiveness against bacteria and fungi. Wipe A, with lower QAC concentration, matched wipe C
Area of Science:
- Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
- Microbiology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are a significant global health concern.
- Effective surface disinfection in healthcare settings is crucial for preventing HAI transmission.
- There is an increasing demand for disinfectants that are both effective and environmentally safe.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of different antimicrobial wipes used for surface disinfection in healthcare environments.
- To compare the performance of wipes containing varying concentrations and combinations of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs).
Main Methods:
- Evaluated three types of antimicrobial wipes (A, B, and C) against a library of 188 bacterial and fungal isolates, including MDROs.
- Assessed antimicrobial effects using rapid bactericidal effect assay, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay for didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) and benzalkonium chloride (BAK), and a time-kill assay for DDAC and 3-(trimethoxysilyl)-propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride (Si-QAC) combination.
- Wipe A contained DDAC (0.31%) and Si-QAC (0.45%); Wipe B contained BAK (0.63%); Wipe C contained DDAC (0.5%) and BAK (0.9%).
Main Results:
- Wipes A and C, containing dual QACs, demonstrated similar rapid antimicrobial effects.
- Wipe A showed superior efficacy against Gram-positive bacteria, fungi, and Mycobacterium strains compared to wipes B and C.
- DDAC exhibited lower MIC₅₀ values than BAK against Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The DDAC and Si-QAC combination significantly reduced bacterial load for Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium.
Conclusions:
- Antimicrobial wipes with lower QAC concentrations (Wipe A) can achieve rapid bactericidal effects comparable to higher concentrations (Wipe C).
- DDAC is more effective than BAK against Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The combination of DDAC and Si-QAC enhances antimicrobial efficacy.
- Further research is needed to develop environmentally friendly antimicrobial wipes that maintain high disinfection effectiveness.
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