What are the different antisepsis, disinfection, and sterilization types, actions, and resistance?
Not all microorganisms are the same. Some are more resistant to disinfection than others and require stronger germicides to eliminate.
- Viruses, fungi, and bacteria, including MRSA, VRE and CRE, can be eliminated with germicides containing quaternary ammonium compounds (“Quat”) or organic acids.
- Mycobacteria, including TB (and viruses, fungi, and bacteria as above) can be eliminated with germicides containing a phenols, Quat plus alcohol, iodophors or alcohols.
- Bacterial spores, including C.difficile, Carbapenem Producing Organisams (CPO), Candida auris, and mycobacteria require germicides containing hypochlorites (bleach at the recommended dilution), aldehydes, peroxides, chlorine dioxide, or ethylene oxide.
Bacterial spores including C. difficile are in the most resistant category of microorganisms.
Adapted from: McDonnell G. Antisepsis, disinfection and sterilization: types, action and resistance. 2007. Used with permission from EcoLab © 2011