IN VITRO EFFICACY OF DISINFECTANTS AGAINST NANNIZZIOPSIS ARTHROSPORIOIDES

Nannizziopsis arthrosporioides, a keratinophillic fungus, has caused infection in multiple reptile species. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of commercially available disinfectants against the growth of N. arthrosporioides. Two molecularly confirmed isolates of N. arthrosporioides were used. Hyphal growth was collected from agar plates, filtered, and then diluted to high and low conidial concentrations. Each conidial suspension was exposed for 5 or 10 minutes to sterile water (control), 10% dilution of commercial bleach containing sodium hypochlorite, 409 multipurpose cleaner containing benzyl ammonium chloride, chlorhexidine 2% solution, F10 SC (benzyl ammonium chloride and polyhexanide) at recommended product labels (1:100, 1:250), 10% dilution of povidone-iodine, and Rescue disinfectant (activated hydrogen peroxide, 1:16). Both isolates at each exposure time failed to grow after exposure to 409 multipurpose cleaner, commercial bleach, chlorhexidine, povidone iodine, and Rescue disinfectant. Inhibition of N. arthrosporioides growth was variable following exposure to F10 SC. Nannizziopsis arthrosporioides can be effectively inactivated using various commercially available disinfectants, and data provided here adds to the growing body of knowledge surrounding appropriate disinfection of fungi that can act as reptile pathogens.