Effect of disinfectant formulation and organic soil on the efficacy of oxidizing disinfectants against biofilms

Abstract

Background: Biofilms that develop on dry surfaces in the healthcare environment have increased tolerance to disinfectants. This study compared the activity of formulated oxidizing disinfectants with products containing active ingredients against Staphylococcus aureus dry-surface biofilm (DSB) alone.

Methods: DSB was grown in the CDC bioreactor with alternating cycles of hydration and dehydration. Disinfectant efficacy was tested before and after treatment with neutral detergent for 30 s, and in the presence or absence of standardized soil. Biofilms were treated for 5 min with peracetic acid (Surfex and Proxitane), hydrogen peroxide (Oxivir and 6% H₂O₂ solution) and chlorine (Chlorclean and sodium dichloroisocyanurate tablets). Residual biofilm viability and mass were determined by plate culture and protein assay, respectively.

Findings: Biofilm viability was reduced by 2.8 log₁₀ for the chlorine-based products and by 2 log₁₀ for Proxitane, but these products failed to kill any biofilm in the presence of soil. In contrast, Surfex completely inactivated biofilm (6.3 log₁₀ reduction in titre) in the presence of soil. H₂O₂ products had little effect against DSB. Biofilm mass removed in the presence and absence of soil was <30% by chlorine and approximately 65% by Surfex. Detergent treatment prior to disinfection had no effect.

Conclusion: The additives in fully formulated disinfectants can act synergistically with active ingredients, and thus increase biofilm killing whilst decreasing the adverse effect of soil. It is suggested that purchasing officers should seek efficacy testing results, and consider whether efficacy testing has been conducted in the presence of biological soil and/or biofilm.

Keywords: Biofilms; Disinfectant efficacy; Disinfection; Dry hospital surfaces; Oxidizing disinfectants; Removing biofilms.