Fast broad-range disinfection of bacteria, fungi, viruses and prions

Abstract

Effective disinfectants are of key importance for the safe handling and reprocessing of surgical instruments. We tested whether new formulations containing SDS, NaOH and 1-propanol (n-propanol) are simultaneously active against a broad range of pathogens including bacteria, fungi, non-enveloped viruses and prions. Inactivation and disinfection were examined in suspension and on carriers, respectively, using coagulated blood or brain homogenate as organic soil. Coomassie blue staining was used to assess whether formulations did undesirably fix proteins to rough surfaces. A mixture of 0.2% SDS and 0.3% NaOH in 20% n-propanol achieved potent decontamination of steel carriers contaminated with PrPTSE, the biochemical marker for prion infectivity, from 263K scrapie hamsters, or patients with sporadic or variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. 263K scrapie infectivity on carriers was decreased by ≥5.5 log10 units [logs]. Furthermore, the formulation effectively inactivated poliovirus, hepatitis A virus and caliciviruses (including murine norovirus) in suspension tests. It also yielded significant titre reductions of bacteria (E. faecium, M. avium; >6 logs), fungi (spores of Aspergillus niger; >5 logs) or poliovirus (≥4 logs) embedded in coagulated blood on carriers. The formulation was not found to fix proteins more than was observed with water as cleaning reagent. SDS, NaOH and n-propanol can synergistically achieve fast broad-range disinfection.